Maria Anna, one of Malta's largest bells, flaunted her unique low-pitched chime throughout Balzan yesterday in celebration of the 60th anniversary since her installation in the belfry of the parish church.

Weighing about four tons, the bell is a bourdon type, making it the largest bell in Malta that has been manufactured by the French renowned Paccard bell foundry.

"Paccard bells are equivalent to BMWs in the car world... Maria Anna, as the bell was christened 60 years ago, is perfectly tuned," campanologist Kenneth Cauchi explained. He said bourdon bells were large and had a deeper chime than other bells.

Mr Cauchi said Maria Anna shared the Balzan church's single belfry with seven smaller sisters and was the largest of five Paccard bells there. Unlike the others, the big bell only chimes on special occasions, like yesterday.

The smaller bells were installed in 1925 and the bourdon bell was put in place in January 1949 under the supervision of maestro di cappella (chapel master) Paul Nani who represented Paccard at the time.

The late Mr Nani's son, Mario, yesterday attended a commemorative Mass held to mark the bell's 60th anniversary. During the ceremony, Paccard representatives presented parish priest Fr Kalanċ Vassallo with a copy of the original certificate of the bell's purchase.

Philippe Paccard, seventh generation of the Paccard dynasty, and the bell foundry's museum curator Anne Paccard also attended the ceremony. Within a few weeks whey will be inaugurating six new bells at the Żabbar parish church, Mr Cauchi said.

Paccard are the manufactures of the World Peace Bell, the world's largest swinging bell that weighs over 33 tons. Located in Kentuky, US, it first chimed as the world celebrated the approach of the third millennium.