<b>By Suffolk Gazette Staff

A bell-ringer was sensationally sacked after ringing out the Star Wars theme on his village church bells just before a service on Tuesday.</b>

Steven Jacobs, 27, and a pal played the Imperial March from the bell tower at St Steven's Church in Bildeston - but locals failed to see the funny side when the tune rang across the village from 12.30pm, and complained to the vicar.

The Rev Evan Elpuss, although a Star Wars fan himself, was furious because wedding guests were due to arrive at any moment, expecting the bridal march, not the Imperial one.

Mr Jacobs, who has seen the latest Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens, an incredible 13 times already, said: "We thought we'd do it for a laugh before the wedding part turned up. It sounded awesome - the boozers in the nearby Crown pub said they loved it - but the next thing I know I've been sacked.

"I've been part of the bell-ringing group at Bildeston for 15 years, and am very upset. The church has gone completely over the top."

The Imperial March, composed by John Williams, is more associated with the first Star Wars trilogy and is the theme used to accompany Darth Vader and his evil dark side associates.

Mr Jacobs, who works as a carpenter in nearby Hitcham, said the dark side association with the song may have been why the vicar sacked him.

His former campanologist colleagues were not available for comment, but a source close to the church told the Suffolk Gazette Mr Jacobs had "deliberately distorted events”.

The source said: "We appreciate that Steven is a bit of a joker but there comes a point when you have to draw a line.

"The Darth Vader's Imperial March is not an appropriate rallying call for a funeral, and Steven knows it. He might think the family didn't notice but believe me they did - we all did."

* * * *

Like The Suffolk Gazette on Facebook now! <iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden; height: 21px;" src="//www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsuffolkgazette&amp;width&amp;layout=button_count&amp;action=like&amp;show_faces=false&amp;share=true&amp;height=21" width="300" height="150" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

<a href="http://www.suffolkgazette.com/buy-us-a-beer/">Please support our running costs by clicking here and buying us a beer!</a>