1,000 sign petition to save Wellington's town centre clock

Hundreds of people in Wellington have backed a campaign to save the town's clock after councillors voted to have it removed from its current home.

A public consultation showed that people did not want the town's clock moved from the Market Square, but councillors voted against them.

At a meeting last month, Wellington Town Council voted to move the clock from its current location in Market Square despite the calls from residents who wanted the 16ft clock to stay.

Councillors said the reason the clock should be moved was to provide a more open and uncluttered square.

The clock was unveiled in January 2000 as part of the millennium celebrations.

On Saturday, campaigners had more than 1,000 shoppers sign a petition in the market square against the clock being moved.

And 200 people have joined a Facebook campaign to keep the clock in the square.

Campaigner Peter Jones said the overwhelming feeling was that it should not be moved.

"People are not happy. We had a consultation in 2008 and there was overwhelming support to keep the clock in the square.

"I am getting a lot of people saying it's an iconic clock and it has formed a strong focal point of the square.

"It's at the heart of the town."

The council was due to decide on a new location for the clock at its meeting last Tuesday, but after a heated discussion, councillors voted to defer any decision until its meeting after the May 5 local elections.

By Jason Lavan