THE rare opening of a historic clock tower in Abberley enabled more than 300 people to catch a breathtaking glimpse of six counties.

The 19th Century, 161ft clock and bell tower, in the grounds of Abberley Hall, opened to the public for the last two Saturdays and attracted 322 visitors.

Groundsman Mick Williams, aged 64, who has lived and worked in the grounds of the private boarding school for six years, hopes the tower will attract English Heritage funding to restore its five bells.

He said the open day tours were a "great success" with hours extended to accommodate all the visitors.

"It takes a lot of time to get people up and own the 145 steps so we couldn't have got any more in than we did," he said.

Value

"Everybody was very happy and thought it was good value for money."

Mr Williams said the tours, led by himself and boarding assistant Hector Robertson, went in stages because of the building's various rooms.

He added visitors were able to see into Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Warwickshire Staffordshire and Gloucestershire from the top of the tower and he expected more open days to be held in the future.

"I'm sure there will be more open days but, as it's a school, we have to be careful when we open it because of security reasons," he said.

"There are very few things about nowadays that people haven't seen - and this is one of them.

"I'm sure it will court a lot of interest if it becomes open."