Handbell ringers from Chester have been making themselves heard in the United States.

Members of the team at Bishops’ Blue Coat CE High School in Boughton travelled to New York, New Jersey, Washington DC and Florida during the summer for a 16-day concert tour.

Organised by musical director Derek Jackson and his wife, Jennifer, assistant director for the tour, the team, led by captain Liam Carstens, were accommodated in homestays with families.

One of the students, Megan Chesters, even celebrated her 18th birthday party on the trip at a breakfast pool party organised by one of the hosts.

A highlight of the tour was a concert in the main lobby of the United Nations headquarters followed by sightseeing to St Patrick’s Cathedral and Times Square.

They also visited the Malmark Handbell factory in Plumsteadville in Pennsylvania to see how their bells had been produced.

The also took in New Jersey Liberty State Park, Ellis Island’s Immigration Museum, the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Ground Zero and the 9/11 memorial pools.

The group was in the first 1000 people to ascend to the top of the new Freedom tower – the highest Observation Deck in the Western Hemisphere - built near the site of the World Trade Centre’s North Tower.

They also performed at Downtown Disney before experiencing some white knuckle rides at Hollywood Studios.