THE Christchurch town centre clock has been removed after all efforts to repair the machine failed.

The black and gold clock, which was situated outside the Mayor's Parlour in Saxon Square, has been taken down by the council.

Adorned with the borough's slogan, 'Where Time is Pleasant', the clock was positioned on a tall black pillar on the High Street.

Cllr Ray Nottage, speaking at a meeting of the full council on Tuesday evening, said: "The town centre clock has been removed as all efforts to repair the machine have now failed."

He said he was aware the machine was important to the community and he has been approached by many residents calling for the council to repair it.

A decision could be made on a replacement by the new administration, he said.

Recent problems with the power supply to the clock led to repairs being carried out, but it failed once again.

And during work to fix the electrical supply - which is buried in concrete, with no ductwork and looped around the Old Town Hall - the clock was damaged further, making it uneconomical to repair.

A spokesperson for the council said they are in touch with their insurance company to see if they can claim.

Lindsay Cass, head of property and engineering at Christchurch council, said: "The town clock, which has been outside the Old Town Hall for 30 years, has been damaged and removed.

"We are now looking to get a replacement to be erected in the same place."

The clock was erected in 1986, funded through the borough lottery and money to commemorate the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.

In 2008, time stopped for the clock, which crashed to the earth with a bang, when a van backed into it.

It was repaired by antique clock experts at MC Taylor in Pokesdown as the drum around the clock was wobbly and the hands had stuck fast at noon.