A GUIDED tour of Darlington’s 152-year-old town clock will be on offer this month as part of nationwide market celebrations.

The iconic clock tower that rises above the Covered Market is set to play a fitting host to winners of a town-wide competition open until Monday, May 16.

An unparalleled view across Darlington’s town centre and beyond will mark the high-point of town’s Love Your Local Market celebrations, which sees more than 1,000 markets hosting specialist stalls and entertainment across the country.

Councillor Nick Wallis, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for leisure, local environment and transport, said: “Love Your Local Market has been a popular campaign for a number of years and I am delighted to see our markets getting involved again.

“It is a brilliant chance to showcase what markets are all about and for local people to come along, enjoy the atmosphere and enjoy shopping in a unique place and even try their hand at winning a free tour up our famous clock tower.”

A limited number of places are available for the free tours which coincide with Love Your Local Market activities on Saturday, May 21, between 9am and 5pm.

The tours, which include a climb up more than 100 steps, will run at 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm, on Saturday, May 21, and Thursday, May 26.

Anyone wishing to join a tour can write their name, address and a daytime contact number on a postcard or on the back of a sealed envelope before handing it to the Covered Market’s newsagents.

Entrants to the lucky dip will need to include which day and time they would prefer to take the tour on and winners will be notified on Tuesday, May 17.