TIME was fast running out on a bid to bring an historic Bromsgrove-made clock back to the town.

Both the town's museum and historical society were unable to buy the 18th century grandfather clock because of lack of funds or space and all looked lost until Chris Sherwood stepped in at the 11th hour.

Chris, from Lydiate Ash House, decided to buy the clock and bring it back to Bromsgrove in memory of his grandmother Florence Izzard.

The clock, made by Henry Payton, has been fully restored and is still keeping good time after 250 years.

It was rescued and put back in working order by horologist Francis Bennett, who is originally from Stoke Prior. The clock was on sale in his shop, Time in Hand in Shipston-on-Stour.

Francis had hoped that the clock would return to Bromsgrove but the £4,300 price tag appeared too high until Chris stepped in.

"I am pleased to have this lovely clock and glad that it is back in Bromsgrove," said Chris, aged 50, who has been connected to the town all his life and is a former pupil at Bromsgrove School.

Henry Payton had a workshop in Crown Close between 1753 and 1770, when it was a key industrial area in the town.

l TOWNSFOLK can look forward to an extra hour in bed on Sunday morning as the clocks go back to Greenwich Mean Time.

Clocks and watches need to be wound back an hour from British Summer Time.

The official changeover happens at 2am on Sunday, when timepieces will go back to 1am.