Rayleigh's much-heralded millennium clock, which was designed to see in the new century in style . . . has stopped!

The state-of-the-art timepiece in the High Street was launched in a blaze of glory just over three weeks ago as the Christmas lights were switched on.

However, bemused passers-by looked on today as the hands were at a standstill.

Rayleigh Town Council, which ordered the clock and paid a large part of the £20,000 cost, is anxious yet puzzled at the stoppage, which occurred at 5.57am yesterday.

Councillor Beryl Lovett said: "What we cannot understand is that the internal workings are fine, it is still chiming and playing tunes, yet the hands are not moving.

"I have spoken to the manufacturers in Derby who cannot tell what is wrong without seeing the clock, but believe there may have been an interruption in the power supply.

"We are concerned as are all the residents."

An engineer is coming down on Sunday, when the town is at its quietest, to look at the clock. Town council chairman David Barnes said: "It is annoying. I'm not very pleased. The last thing we need is for something to go wrong with this clock."

Picture, top: Is that the time? - passerby Bradley Russell checks his watch at 9.55am on Friday, confused by the millennium clock which still reads 5.57.

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