THE stop-start habits of Tavistock's town clock last week came under the spotlight during a meeting in the town.

Members of the town council's properties committee heard that the company currently maintaining the clock had reported that the auto-wind mechanism — installed in 2000 — was unreliable and not powerful enough. A replacement could cost £3,200.

Cllr Ted Sherrell said: 'This clock has been like a nagging tooth for decades. When we had a chap that used to come and wind it up, it never stopped or broke down.

Cllr Brian Trew said from an engineering point of view, the explanation of the problems did not 'ring true'.

Cllr David Whitcomb, the new town mayor, said he wondered if the council was being persuaded to buy a new piece of equipment that perhaps was not necessary.

Town clerk Roger Howard said: 'It's just not reliable and every time they get called out, it costs us £200. They say this auto-wind equipment just isn't up to the job.'

Col Howard said there were very few companies which undertook this type of maintenance.

The committee asked the clerk to investigate all avenues and to report back to a future meeting.