Chimes to ring out in £60k plan for tower

The bells are set to ring out in West Bromwich for the first time in years by the end of this month as the town's clock tower is brought back into use.

Following years of neglect, the grade II listed Farley Clock Tower in Carters Green has fallen into a state of disrepair and the hourly chimes were silenced around 10 years ago.

But a £60,000 restoration project is now under way to clean up the landmark structure, and as part of the work, the clock's chimes will be restored and put back in use by March 31.

As well as fitting new clock mechanics and dials, the project, funded by the Greets Green Partnership, will see other restoration work carried out including the refurbishment of the weather vane, new windows installed and an upgrade of the building's electrics.

The tower will also be steam cleaned, detailed brickwork will be replicated where necessary and the entrance door will be painted and restored.

The restoration is one of the final projects being carried out by 10 year regeneration programme Greets Green Partnership which ends on March 31.

Executive director Ally Allerson said: "We're really happy to be able to finish the programme with such a high-profile and visible piece of work on this landmark."