CARHAMPTON'S historic church clock should soon be striking the hour again thanks to a £13,000 overhaul.

The clock, which dates from the first half of the 18th century and has a rare type of movement, has been silent for several years.

But now a successful fundraising campaign means the clock is in line for restoration.

It was taken down from the church tower earlier this month, which according to villager Susan Mew gave some local people a surprise.

"The clock face was removed by an engineer dangling on the end of a rope," she said.

The work is being carried out at the works of JB Joyce & Co, a division of the well known clock firm Smiths of Derby, and is being funded through grants and years of fundraising by villagers.

Among those who have given financial support are Carhampton Parish Council, Somerset County Council and the Leche Trust, as well as many individuals.

Local bellringer Ronald Brightman has been looking after the clock for the last few years.

"It was very exciting to watch the engineer and his colleague removing the clock dial and painstakingly dismantling the clock and removing it piece by piece," he said.

"We are all looking forward to seeing the restored clock back in place and hearing it strike the hour day by day after several years of silence."