THE clock of a prominent Droitwich Spa building is to be re-programmed in line with a new European Union directive.

Droitwich town councillors recently agreed at a community and amenities meeting the clock on Salters' Hall, which is now the library, should be programmed to coincide with a new EU rule.

Currently, the Victoria Square clock automatically turns back on the fourth Sunday of October to herald the start of British wintertime. However, under the new EU ruling the clock will not go back until the fifth Sunday.

Town clerk, Diane Malley explained that the letter sent out from the EU said the clocks should be altered on the last Sundays of March and October.

She said: "Periodically, the month of October contains five Sundays, which means the equipment in the clock will alter the time on the fourth Sunday, not the fifth. This will again be a problem in 2006.

"The situation is further complicated by the fact the EU will be meeting again in 2006 to discuss the matter further and the clock may require re-programming once again."

Committee chairman Cllr Kate Spencer (Con-East) said she felt the council should wait until a final decision had been made in 2006.

But Cllr Jan Bolton (Con-East) said: "I do not think the town should have to wait this long - it is crazy."

Councillors finally decided the clock should be reprogrammed so that it changes the hour on the fifth Sunday of October 2005. The cost of changing the clock is about £95.