Clock's happened here then: The only clock in the valleys has stopped.

The famous Tredegar town clock has stopped telling time since Christmas 2006 due to the incredible bad weather.

"The vents that should take water out were forced to take it in as the wind and rain rushed in and soaked the mechanics of the clock's workings," explained Dr John Evans, Tredegar town council clerk.

Electricians were called to reset the clock and it began to work again but it stopped at 10pm on New Year's Eve 2006.

This meant it did not ring in the New Year and left the revellers who traditionally gather around the tower disappointed and with no option other than to go home.

Electricians were called to fix the malfunctioning timepiece once again, and the clock was reset on January 8, but it only worked from 11am till 3pm.

It has now been decided to renew and replace the clock's electrical components with a method that will protect the mechanics from damp and wet in the future.

The project has gone out to tender and Tredegar Town Council is hoping a local company will put in a bid.

The town clock was erected in 1858 and it first chimed in 1859.

The clock will be 150 years old in 2008, which will also be the 60th anniversary of the NHS.

The town council of Tredegar is preparing a double celebration running from January 2008 onwards.

Hopefully, by that time the town clork will be making its presence heard again