The clock at All Saints Church in Oakham is nearing its 150th anniversary and is starting to show its age.

To preserve this important piece of Oakham's history, the church council has commissioned specialists from Smiths of Derby to repair the weights so the clock can continue to chime for years to come.

Church tower captain Louis Totaro, of Langham, said: "It keeps a reasonable time and is an important part of Oakham's history which is why we are keen to preserve it.

"The clock was a prototype for Big Ben and gifted to Oakham by the Dean of Westminster.

"It is still wound by hand every two days by a volunteer. It takes around half an hour to wind the three weights each time."

Repair work should start in September once the church has the go-ahead from the Diocese of Peterborough but it is being stopped this week for health and safety reasons.

Louis said: "We had to do some repairs to it last year and we were flooded with calls from people wanting to know why it had stopped."

The work will cost around £2,000 of which £1,300 was donated by Oakham Town Council.