Three Men in a Boat clock to return

The set was put into storage due to repeat mechanical issues, said Walsall Council

A beloved town centre display featuring a clock and mechanical figures dedicated to Three Men in a Boat author Jerome K Jerome is to return home after years in storage.

The set was unveiled in 1990 at Saddlers Shopping Centre in Walsall - the author's home town. But due to repeat mechanical issues, it was put away, said Walsall Council which has agreed to fund the restoration of the display as part of town centre regeneration works.

Residents had long called for the return of the feature, with a petition in 2017 gaining 100 signatures.

The piece is to be reinstated in the shopping centre's atrium area, and will include the clock and its signature three mechanical figures - which, representing the book's titular trio, will start rowing their boat on each hour.

The 1889 novel tells the story of three Edwardian men who decide to take a boating holiday, experiencing mishaps along the way.

The trio are set to row, row, row their boat once more

Councillor Adrian Andrew said: "[The clock] was a prominent and popular feature in the Saddlers Centre and local people have lots of fond memories of seeing it in action.

"While regenerating our town centre is necessary to create opportunities and boost the local economy, it's important that we keep an eye on our proud heritage and restoring features like this is a really nice way to honour our history [while] moving forward."

Melvin Glasby, manager of the centre, added: "[Seeing the clock] was a family tradition, so I am sure the people of Walsall will be excited to see its return and we look forward to welcoming new generations back to see it."