EARBY'S municipal clock needs repairing again after being struck by another vehicle.

The double-faced clock is mounted on the front of the old fire station on Victoria Road, next to the town's bus station.

When parish councillors met this week they were angry to learn it has been badly damaged again after being struck by a vehicle.

The bottom corner of the clock casing is badly dented and scratched, a piece of the perspex protecting the face has been smashed off and the bolts securing the clock to the wall have been dangerously loosened.

The collision has also knocked the whole clock sideways, which may have damaged its internal workings.

It is not the first time a high vehicle has hit the clock by getting too close to the building, and the last time it happened Pendle Council got a quote from a Leeds-based clockworks for several thousand pounds to repair it.

Thankfully, parish councillors in Earby knew of a local man, Ian Parfitt, who repairs clocks and watches for a hobby. He agreed to take it on and did a magnificent job free of charge.

"Ian repaired it last time and I've had a word with him and he's willing to do it again," said parish council chairman Chris Tennant.

But members were angry the clock had been damaged, possibly by a double decker bus or a council lorry parking outside the store at the old fire station.

"Why haven't they put bollards along that section like the rest of Victoria Road?" asked Coun Vic Marsh. "I think it's a Pendle Council wagon that has done it."

Members resolved to write to Pendle Council asking for the clock to be taken down, but stressing that it must be done when Mr Parfitt is there to supervise the operation.

"Ian wants to ensure that they don't cut through the drive shaft like they did last time because he had to have one specially made," said Coun Tennant.

The parish council will also ask for bollards to be installed as part of the planned redevelopment of the old fire station, to make sure vehicles cannot pull in front of the building and hit the clock.