Repairs on the clock will cost at least �100,000

But the mayor of Machynlleth, Glenda Jenkins, is determined to find the cash and she has led from the front by setting up a fund-raising appeal.

Most of the finance for repairs to the historic clock is expected to come from grant applications.

But even if these are successful, the town council will have to pay for at least a quarter of the cost, estimated to be at least �25,000.

The 78-foot tall clock was built in 1874 to celebrate the 21st birthday of Viscount Castlereagh, the son of the fifth Marquess of Londonderry, who lived at Y Plas, Machynlleth.

If Machynlleth is known for anything it is the town clock Mayor Glenda Jenkins

Councillor Jenkins is chairing the fund-raising committee which has already raised �3,000.

"If Machynlleth is known for anything it is the town clock," she said.

"The clock is such a feature of the town we've got to raise the money."

Memorabilia

One of the donations already sent to the restoration fund is �1,000 from a couple from Hong Kong who visited Machynlleth last year.

The Mayor leads the appeal

"The kind gesture from this couple shows the town clock is held in great affection by locals and tourists alike," added Cllr Jenkins.

The mayor has also written to celebrities asking them to donate memorabilia which will be sold at an auction in the town later this year.

She has already received a signed book and photo from Welsh film star Ioan Gruffudd as well as a signed pennant from Everton football team.

Another town clock fund-raiser is David Oswald, who is working on the bid which will be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Town clock repair list Floor timbers Electrical wiring Remove rooted saplings Remove lichen growth Re-point mortar joints

"I am very busy at the moment because I am also training hard in preparation for the London Marathon on 13 April which I hope will raise a lot of money for the appeal," he said.

The poor state of the clock was highlighted in a report written for the town council last year by Aberystwyth-based architect Gareth Lewis.