“It’s a very complex mechanism, with a combination of technology from the 1960s and very old clockmaking technology from the late 19th century,” he said.

The mechanism was updated in 1959 with an electric motor, but parts of the clock date back to the 1800s.

Replacement parts will need to be specially made by a clock repair company in Cumbria, the council said.

“We would like to get the clock up and running as quickly as possible, but it is in high demand and we are very much in the hands of specialists,” Mr Storey added.

The council said there was no confirmed date for when the repairs would take place.

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