A PROMINENT clock in the centre of Witney will tell the time accurately in the future, after a £1,000 revamp of its mechanism.

The Corn Exchange clock had not told the time accurately for years because its mechanism stopped working during power cuts.

A new radio-controlled mechanism – which will automatically restart after a power cut – means that in the future it will always be accurate. The project is part of Witney Town Council’s £72,000 revamp to the Market Square hall’s facade.

The council closed the hall in November after a report showed it had major problems with fire escapes, stonework and the heating and electrical systems.

Witney clockmaker Steve Fletcher installed the clock in 2000. He is pictured putting a new layer of gold leaf on the dial. He said: “I have been incredibly frustrated with seeing the clock stopped the vast amount of the time. It is now going to be a clock that people can rely upon and it is going to look fabulous with the front of the Corn Exchange having been refurbished.”

The mechanism has been supplied to the council at cost and Mr Fletcher has also restored the gold leaf at his own expense.