The 140-year-old clock at Haworth Parish Church is still out of action.

The clock is in good working order, but has been motionless since January. It has to be wound manually by volunteers, but this cannot be done until work is carried out to ensure access complies with safety rules.

In February, the priest in charge at the church, the Reverend Peter Mayo-Smith, explained that people needing to reach the mechanism had to get on a landing via a steep, narrow step ladder.

John Huxley, of the parochial church council, said the church was considering installing an automatic system, but noted this could cost around £6,000.

Volunteer clock winder Jens Hislop said he did not accept that the access to the clock was dangerous.