FOOT and mouth disease has been blamed for a delay in renovating Upton's famous old church tower, the Pepperpot.

The Grade II listed building, housing the Heritage Centre, needs a coat of paint on its cupola and repairs to its wood and stonework.

There is also a possibility that the clock will be electrified - which could save money in the long run and make the timepiece more reliable, bringing "Upton time" in line with everywhere else.

Malvern Hills District Council has set aside £51,000 for the job and had hoped to do the work this summer, but it cannot go ahead until the scheme gets clearance from English Heritage.

"English Heritage say their inspector can't visit until the foot and mouth epidemic is over," said Executive Board member Alex Stewart-Cleary.

"I don't know how long this epidemic will last but if it's two months, English Heritage will have a backlog of work which they will have to prioritise. Then we'll have to wait for their report before we can go out to tender and it will probably be the end of the year before work can start."

A spokesman for English Heritage said restrictions on their inspector's movements had now been lifted and it was hoped to arrange an informal meeting to offer advice on the council's application for scheduled monument consent.

As a result of the delay, Upton's tourist information centre is likely to stay in its prominent spot on the corner of the High Street, at least for this summer.

The idea of moving the TIC back to the Pepperpot is being considered as a cost-cutting measure by Malvern Hills District Council, which owns both buildings.

Extra space could be provided by constructing an internal gallery, subject to listed building consent and the approval of English Heritage.