Much-needed refurbishment to Keighley Shared Church’s clock and tower has been completed in time for Christmas.

The four faces of the 110-year-old clock have been cleaned and the hands on the eastern clock face, which were jammed by corrosion, have been freed. This part of the clock had previously been stuck for nearly a year, as the hands could not be freed from inside the tower.

Explaining the £12,500 project, priest-in-charge at the church – the Rev Peter Mott – said: “The clock hadn’t been refurbished for many years and its mechanism needed an overhaul.

“The faces were fouled and corroded by pigeon droppings, so pigeon guards have been installed as part of the works. There were also minor repairs done to the tower’s stonework.

“The clock faces have now been cleaned and repainted. Each one took a week, at a height of more than 60 feet from the ground, and in the recent weather that has been no fun!

“We’re grateful to Keighley Town Council for a grant of £4,000 towards the work, and also Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust for a grant of £1,500.

“This was the last major job that needed doing on the church. It’ll be in good nick for the next generation or so.”