The clock on the Old Town Hall in Abbey Road, Torquay, dates from 1862 and is wound up weekly by a volunteer.

But the council says the electrics in the tower are causing concern and require repairs.

Some traders have called the decision absurd, but the council hopes repairs can be completed before it stops.

'Temporary access'

"We hope to be able to gain access to the tower before it stops, with worst case scenario that it will stop for perhaps a few days," a council spokesperson said.

As well as the electrics there are also concerns about the roof and a survey on Friday is hoping to assess the full extent of the work that needs doing.

Some market traders in the town have dismissed the safety fears and claimed the clock will be left out of order for a long time.

But the council said: "The electrics are our main concern and we have taken the decision to allow temporary access to the tower once they have been repaired so that the clock can be wound up."