The last thing that the bellringers at St James Church in High Street, Bushey, expected to find when they were re-hanging the bells was a rifle - but that is exactly what they discovered in the tower.

The rifle, which was used during the First World War, coupled with a box of 20 live ammunition cartridges, was found by Graham Clifton, on January 29.

Mr Clifton, a bellhanger, who had been responsible for fitting the bells into the new frames and fixtures, found the gun in the sawdust that was used for sound proofing, underneath the floorboards that were directly under the bells in the tower.

Sue Morton, tower captain was one of the first to see the rifle and described it as being in "immaculate condition".

She said: "I was delighted to be present to see bel number 4 being lowered from the tower - first time I have seen anything like this in my 40 year ringing career.

"Then I found a message on my mobile phone from Graham to say you he had found something. So I dashed over there. None of the bellhangers would tell me anything when I arrived at the tower, they just asked me to go right up the spiral staircase to the bellchamber.

"That is where I met Graham and he showed me the rifle - we were just so surprised at what we had found."

The police were called and they have taken the rifle and plan to make it safe, and it is hoped that afterwards, it is returned to the bellhangers.

Ms Morton added: "The mystery remains as to how and why it got there in the first place. One assumes it must have been a bellringer in order to have had access to that part of the tower.

"There have been various suggestions, possibly a rogue First World War bellringer, who did not want to return his weapon at the end of the war, or may be the tower was used as a look-out by the home guard and then for some reason left there.

"Perhaps we will never know."

The bellringers at St James have been raising money for more than a year to maintain the bells and are still collecting donations. For more information contact Ms Mortan on 01923 245542 or suemorton@btconnect.com.