Restored bell to mark festivities

The restored bell will sound in Christmas Day and New Year's Day

The bell of a Sussex clock tower is to ring in Christmas Day and the New Year following its restoration.

The 200-year-old bell at Hotham Park, Bognor Regis, has been cleaned over the past few weeks and was lifted back into place a few days ago.

The clock tower at Hotham Park was constructed for the founder of the town, Sir Richard Hotham, in 1794.

The £25,000 work is part of a wider £2.2 million regeneration of Hotham Park, managed by Arun District Council.

Arun District councillor Jacqueline Maconachie said: "The Clock Tower is a hugely important landmark in Bognor Regis.

"Restoring and regenerating all aspects of Hotham Park will ensure it continues to be a place where people from all walks of life can come to escape the bustle of modern day life."

The regeneration projection has been funding by a £1.5m funding lottery grant and £650,000 handout from Arun District.