A TOWN hall is to be without its 200-year-old clock for a few weeks while it is taken away to be repaired.

For the past couple of weeks, the hands of Stockton Town Hall clock have been stuck in the 12 o'clock position.

Stockton Borough Council has investigated and discovered the clock is in need of specialist repair.

It will need to be dismantled and taken away for the work to be carried out.

Mark Wardle, property manager for the council, said: "The intricacy of the repairs and the age of the clock mean any replacement parts need to be remade by hand.

"It could be about seven to eight weeks before the clock is back in full working order.

"Due to the length of time the clock will be out of commission, we felt it important to let people know about it.

"We would also like to apologise to residents and visitors for any inconvenience caused to them while repairs to the clock are being carried out."

The clock will be repaired by specialist company Wm Potts and Sons.