MYSTERY surrounds who owns a 152-year-old village clock tower which was put up in tribute to a woman’s sisters and brother.

Whitcurch Clock Tower was restored to full working order nine years ago, but the parish council, which pays for its upkeep, says it is not the owner and has appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

An online statement from Whitchurch and Ganarew Parish Council says: “The parish council has become aware that some residents believe that the Whitchurch Clock Tower is owned by the parish council and as such it is their responsibility to maintain and manage this listed building.

“The parish council would like to make it clear that they do not own, and never have had ownership of the clock tower, and therefore (confirmed after taking legal advice) have no responsibility for its maintenance, insurance, repairs or any other associated liabilities.

“It is not registered with the Land Registry and extensive research by the parish council in the County Records Office have proved fruitless.

“We have demonstrated that ownership/trusteeship of the building is not available through the normal legal administration.

“Should anyone reading this have any evidence to demonstrate the current ownership of the clock tower we would be delighted to hear from them.

“The parish council over the past years have paid for the clock’s annual service and any repairs that are required, and for the electricity supply and will continue to do so until proper ownership is established.

“Following legal advice, the parish council will be writing to Herefordshire Council. As the clock tower is a Grade II listed building, they have a responsibility for its upkeep.”

The red brick tower with a pyramidal slate roof was erected in 1867 by Amelia Panter in memory of her three sisters and brothers and was listed in 1985 as a fine example of a Victorian public building.

Few people had watches in the 1860s, and clock towers were an important Victorian feature for people to tell the time by.

The parish council applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2009 to refurbish the clock tower, which had fallen into disrepair and was unsafe for people to go upstairs to wind the clock.

It secured £25,000 towards the restoration which was completed in August 2010