A VERY special clock's birthday will be celebrated this Sunday, at a local church.

The clock in question is the tower time-piece of St Mary's Church, Bromesberrow, which was made by world renowned clockmakers, JB Joyce and Co, of Whitchurch, one hundred years ago.

Parishoner and author, Jennifer Davies, said: "Their famous clocks include the ones on the Post Office Tower in Sydney, Australia; the clock at the Customs House, Shanghai, and Worcester Cathedral. The clock in the Barrett Browning Institute in Ledbury is also one of theirs.

"However, the Bromesberrow Church Clock is more authentic in its way, for unlike the others it is not wound by electricity but by hand."

This labour of love falls each week to clock repaired Michael Greening, of the jewellers' JB Gaynan and Son, of the Homend, Ledbury.

Each week, Mr Greening fixes a large metal handle in place to bring a huge domed weight up from the base of the tower to the top.

This action keeps the clock ticking for another week and power cuts do not affect it.

Mr Greening is also responsible for maintaining the clock.

This Sunday, September 28, the clock's long service will be celebrate at the church, with a special service, from 10am.

Mr Greening, who has worked at Gaynan's for a quarter of a century, will be there, together with the many people who have appreciated Bromesberrow's rather unique clock, over the passing years.

Clockmakers, JB Joyce first went into business as clockmakers in 1690, and so they lay claim to being the oldest existing clock manufacturer in the world.

This claim, however, is disputed by another ancient clockmaker, Thwaites and Reed.