Fund-raiser and Selby Town Council clerk Tina Mason described the 19th century carillon as a music box attached to the abbey bells, and only one of two in existence in the whole country.

She added: “There is only one other carillon and that’s in Bristol.

“This huge music box worked until about eight years ago when it broke down and we’ve been trying to raise money to get it fixed ever since.

“One of the tunes it plays by automatically ringing the bells when it is fixed is a specially written hymn which would sound at noon, 3pm, 6pm and 9pm.

“I remember this as a young girl, and it would be fantastic to see it working again.”

She said if funds could be raised and repairs made, a video of it in action would be shown in the abbey as part of the town’s tourist trail.

Ms Mason added: “A decision to turn us down for Big Lottery cash came through about three months ago as we wanted the mechanism to run by electricity.

“We have been told it needs to be brought back to its original mechanical working order.

“We have already had letters of support for this from the Bishop of Selby the Rt Rev Martin Wallace and the Arch Bishop of York John Sentamu.

“North Yorkshire County Council, Selby District Council and Selby Town Council has so far donated £3,000 each to fund this, but we need another £25,000.”

Anyone who can help with funding should contact Tina Mason on 01757 708449. (s8255a716) Picture: Phil Sambrook