Bedum Tower

Mathematicians have worked out that the 12th-century building in the northern Dutch town of Bedum would, if it were the same height as the Pisa tower, have a greater tilt.

Retired geometrician Jacob van Dijk said measurements this week on Bedum's 36-metre church tower of Walfridus revealed it is leaning more than its Italian rival because the Pisa attraction has lost part of its tilt thanks to restoration works.

At a height of 55.86 metres, Pisa's tower leans about 4 metres, while Bedum's tower leans 2.61 metres on its height of 35.7 metres. So if both towers were the same height, Bedum would have a greater tilt of 6cms, Van Dijk argues.

"In Italy they're happy with the result, but here in Bedum we are much more happy, because the tower of Pisa is now leaning less than the tower of Bedum," said Van Dijk.

Bedum Tower video