Clock back ticking soon after storm damage

WHITLEY Bay’s Grant’s Clock is hoped to be back in action by the end of this month after being severely damaged during Storm Arwen.

Grant’s Clock, located opposite the former Rex Hotel, was damaged during last year’s brutal storm.

Storm Arwen left approximately 18,000 North

East homes without power and claimed the lives of three people across the UK.

The storm, in November, tore the clock face from its column back in November last year. North Tyneside Council aims to unveil the restored landmark by May 28 with the mayor doing the honours.

Whitley Bay councillor John O’shea said: “The clock is an iconic feature. It was destroyed during Storm Arwen and many people have been asking what was happening with it.

“It was sent away to Derby for specialist repairs and the plan will be to return it by the end of this month, and I am hopeful it will be returned.”

The clock face was sent to Smith of Derby, a specialist firm that makes, services and restores clocks.