Protest held over Burntisland's silent clock

Hundreds of bells have been rung in a protest against the silencing of a town clock in the run-up to Hogmanay.

About 200 people ringing bells gathered in Burntisland on Thursday evening to demonstrate against the removal of their clock chimes after 150 years.

The chiming mechanism of the Burgh Chambers clock was removed by Fife Council six weeks ago following one resident's complaint.

About 1,100 people signed a petition calling for the chimes to be restored.

Speaking at the demonstration on the High Street, Bob Smith, from the town's community council, said: "I think the turnout is absolutely tremendous.

"It shows the strength of feeling in the town about the action that Fife Council have taken without any consultation with the community council or the community at large. We'll be talking with Fife Council, I hope, in the New Year.

"We're obviously not going to have the bells available for Hogmanay, which is a great disappointment to many people, but we will be consulting with Fife Council in the new Year and we want the bells restored."

A spokeswoman for Fife Council said the issue was still on the agenda and would be considered in the New Year.

There have been suggestions that the clock, which can normally be heard throughout the town every 15 minutes, could chime only during the day, but many residents have rejected the idea.

Morag Douglas, another Burntisland community councillor, said: "Why should Fife Council change what has happened for 150 years because one person has complained?

"Everybody has been happy with it for the past 150 years so why should it change now?"

She added: "I think that you can see from the turnout that not only are people upset about it, but they are prepared to do something about it and come out on a cold night to show it."