THE mayor of Carmarthen has hit out at what he describes as an embarrassing failure to fix the town's historic market clock tower which has not been ticking for months.

Councillor Alan Speake is urging the county council to get the hands turning again because it is one of the town's iconic treasures — despite already contacting officers about the problem.

The clock had stood in the market square for decades and is now part of the redeveloped £4 million provisions market. It also stands just yards away from shops at the £74 million St Catherine's Walk retail development, which opened earlier this year.

Councillor Speake said: "This reflects badly in the face of the new development.

"It is a bit of an embarrassment, particularly when the new developments have been so professionally designed."

He added he was pushing the authority to fix the clock immediately. "I have requested that the clock, which is a town centre landmark, will soon be on time and working accurately as it is a slight embarrassment with many people visiting our town."

Carmarthenshire Council head of corporate property Jonathan Fearne said: "Work has been carried out to service the clock tower and the power supply was disconnected as part of that essential work. The power is due to be reconnected as soon as possible."