Call time on ‘Blackboy’ statue clock

A “BLACKBOY” clock depicting a lad with red lips and a leaf skirt should be removed, a council says.

The 250-year-old clock which sees the boy strike the bell on the hour, is on a listed building owned by a trust in Stroud, near Cheltenham, Glos.

A report into it said: “The boy’s image came directly or indirectly through the influence of slavery and colonialism”.

Campaigners Stroud Against Racism insist the clock is “dehumanising’’.

The district council will recommend it goes to a museum “after listening to the community”.

It follows a consultation in which 77% of respondents said it should go.