A VICTORIAN clock that resides in an 800 year-old church tower has been given a 21st Century upgrade – much to the relief of clock-winder Nick Hitchman.

Every other day of the week for the past six-and-a-half years Mr Hitchman, 62 has hauled himself up a creaking 20ft ladder, through a trap-door and into the loft of the damp 13th Century tower.

He then proceeded to wind-up the archaic timepiece at All Saints Church in Oaksey with a hefty crank-handle.

Now the same company Smiths of Derby which installed the clock in the tower more than 120 years ago has completed its automation after more than £5,000 was raised for the much needed upgrade.

The project was funded by Oaksey parish council, Wiltshire Council and an anonymous donor

Churchwarden Colonel Nick Mangnall said: “It’s terrific. They’ve done a fantastic job. It’s solved a huge problem.

“Nick had to climb the tower to wind it up every 72 hours. Now he doesn’t have to worry about that anymore. He can leave it alone now and just fine-tune it every now and then.”

Not surprisingly it was church bell-ringer Mr Hitchman who floated the idea of a new mechanism for the clock. His dedicated cock-winding activities were beginning to take a toll on aging limbs while inflaming old rugby injuries.

The parish council turned his suggestion into a solid proposal, raised much of the cash itself and approached Wiltshire Council for additional funds.

IT worker Mr Hitchman, who went on to manage the scheme, said that winding it required “strenuous physical effort every other day to avoid the chime weights from hitting the floor and stopping the clock.”

He said the installation of an auto-winder at the Grade I Listed church had removed the need for hand winding and operating the heavy weights.

The new equipment automates both the winding and chiming and will only require occasional adjustment from Mr Hitchman and his successors rather than needing adjusting every other day or so.

The clock was bought in 1882 for £76 in memory of the village rector and is an important part of daily life in Oaksey.

Ollie Phipps of Wiltshire Council said: “This high quality work has ensured the accuracy and longevity of the clock tower’s new automation for years to come.

“The church is one of Malmesbury’s exceptionally stunning examples of architecture and this addition will ensure no one has to climb the tower daily to keep this beautiful landmark chiming.”