A nine-year-old boy with autism has been given the chance to ring the bells of an Isle of Wight church, thanks to help from a Brighstone bell ringer.
Owen Jones' love of bell ringing has led to him making his own bells out of buckets in the garden.
He also uses Minecraft to make models of Big Ben and Canterbury Cathedral, which takes weeks to finish.
So, when he came to the Island to visit his nan last year, she contacted St Mary’s Church, Brighstone.
Bell ringer Steve Noyes let Owen ring the bells and told him that there were churches near where he lives that train children.
When he got home to Prittlewell, Essex, his parents called their local church and now Owen practices every Saturday morning.
His nan, Sally White, said: "Being autistic, Owen finds it difficult to interact with people and he is often playing alone.
"He is also not competitive so to see him practicing with five other bell ringers is a wonderful sight."
When Owen visited the Island again earlier this month, Steve Noyes allowed him to ring the bells at St Mary's.
Sally said: "How many nine-year-olds can do that?"
"I am so proud to be his nanny.
"I want to thank St Mary's Church and especially Steve Noyes for his help and understanding."
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