Egham's upside down clock to be fixed

But after the butchers sold-up and the building was refurbished, the clock was replaced - but upside down. Cafe Piccolo has occupied the building where it is attached since 1999.

Following numerous requests over the years, cafe manager Bado Urosevik has contacted builders to get the problem resolved.

He said: "The work should be done in a few weeks. We know it is a historical building and I am willing to paint the lines black too to make them more visible. It never bothered me though, as I knew the time was right."

Allotment association member Dave Abbey was the secretary of the association when the clock was first installed. He said: "I had been worried about what would happen with it. At the time it was erected I had a hand in raising the money for it and I helped to install it.

"I think everyone in the allotment association and on the committee is just glad that we finally seem to be on the point of getting something done."

The association have been keen to get the clock corrected as it had been a bug-bear for former association secretary, Bill Swinton, who died last year. Runnymede Council however, have stated that rectifying the clock might not be straight forward as was initially thought.

A council spokesman explained: "It listed building, built in 1877. The clock was unlikely to have formed part of the original listing but in effect it is now listed by default.

"Without further details on the clock's value to the rest of the building, what part of the fabric of the building would be affected by righting the situation and without feedback from our historic expert, it is difficult to confirm whether listed building consent would be required."