A TOWN'S clock is to ring out once more.

The news comes after a turret bell, which is thought to originate from a church on Teesside, was discovered in storage at Kirkleatham Museum in Redcar.

It will be fitted to the town clock, which lost its previous bell after hotel guests and residents complained that it was disturbing their sleep.

In the meantime, it has pride of place in the window of Clinkard's shoe shop, next to the clock.

On Monday, the bell was unveiled by the town's best-known fundraiser, Norman Evans, who dedicated £1,000 from his high street busking to the Clock Restoration Fund, the largest contribution so far.

He started collecting for the appeal after a conversation with his former teacher, who is leading the fundraising.

Mr Evans said: "I had a heart attack in May but I've managed to raise £800 since then."

The teacher, Vera Robinson MBE, the Chairman of the Friends of Redcar Town Clock, said: "We've lost the pier and the bandstand and we don't want to lose the clock. It was built as a landmark.

"Striking the hour will be a help to all, especially blind and partially sighted people, but at night the bell will be silenced so hotel guests can sleep in peace."

The clock was unveiled in 1913 as a memorial to King Edward VII.

Restoring the timepiece is expected to cost £120,000.