Hull's gold time ball drops again after 100 years

A glittering time ball has dropped for the first time in 100 years in Hull after being repaired.

The golden sphere is mounted on the Guildhall clock tower 196ft (60m) above the ground.

It was last used in 1922 and is now back in action after a £452,000 restoration of the clock tower.

Originally, the ball dropped at 13:00 BST each day allowing ships on the River Hull and the Humber estuary to set their clocks.

Crowds applauded as the ball plunged.

The 7st 8lb (50kg) device dates back to 1918 and is covered in 23.5 carat gold leaf.

It is one of just eight left in the UK, including one at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London.

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The restoration was funded by Hull City Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Additional work on the clock tower included installing a new mechanism.

Council leader Mike Ross said: "It is great to see the city's Guildhall time ball in full working order again after over a century of not working.

"Residents can now learn about this nationally significant timepiece and the important role it played for sailors on the Humber."

The sphere is covered in 23.5 carat gold leaf

The ball is the highest in the UK and was one of the last to be built, as more modern navigation technology was introduced.

To mark Thursday's occasion, children from two primary schools composed a new piece of music with the help of the director of music at Hull Minster, Mark Keith.