THE human clock, a new installation at Hereford Courtyard, has caused people to stop in their tracks.

"It's an usual thing to turn up on the doorstep of Hereford," said Craig Whyte, the brains behind the new installation.

Cuppa Tea Productions has created the clock over past months, with filming for the plasma screens taking place locally.

The clockface shows a moving figure in lieu of the traditional hand, which changes as the day progresses.

A girl with a candle creeps around the dial late at night, while a lady dressed as a bird and a gent dressed in wedding regalia precede her.

A guitarist plays out the chimes on the hour.

Youth worker Craig, aged 25, is always coming up with what he describes as ridiculous ideas.

"I have hypomania, which is a mental health illness causing sleeplessness and accelerated thinking," he said.

"My condition certainly contributed towards the idea. "It's a bit like having a bear for a pet - you have to keep it under control - but it also makes you more likely to take risks."

Excited by the prototype, he is already working on its successor, which will feature even more animation.

"I would like 24 different chimes, which could involve dance as well as music.

"The project is part-way on its journey, which could take it nationally...or internationally.

"It functions not only as a time-telling device but as a community art development."

The company received £10,000 of funding from the Arts Council, Awards for All and Creative Industries Herefordshire to bring their idea to fruition.

Having moved to Leintwardine from Luton, Craig is happy to be making his break in Herefordshire.

"Martyn Green was pivotal to the project," Craig said.

"Out of all the organisations that are meant to help young artists, he was the one to realise its potential."

The company hopes clock two will come out towards the end of the summer.

In the meantime, the prototype has received the green light from the BBC to show the clock on its 25ft plasma screen in Birmingham city centre.

"It's been a tough mountain to climb.

"It's a really big project but if we push hard enough we could make it seasonal," Craig said.