WHEN Vic Marriot put March town clock forward in 1980, he decided to call time on his duties as the official clock superintendent. Vic the Tick, as he was known to family and friends – a watchmaker and jeweller by trade – had held the position for 34 year

WHEN Vic Marriot put March town clock forward in 1980, he decided to call time on his duties as the official clock superintendent.

Vic the Tick, as he was known to family and friends - a watchmaker and jeweller by trade - had held the position for 34 years.

He handed over the keys to a rival March firm, brothers Roger and Trevor Richmond, of H R Mallett. He is shown here handing the keys to Roger Richmond.

Vic, of County Road, had climbed the rickety wooden ladder inside the 100ft tower once a week to wind and tend to March's most-looked-at clock.

When he first took on the job he was paid five shillings a week (25p) and that included winding St Peter's Church clock. When he finished he was paid £2 a week.

After handing over the keys, Mr Marriot said: "It has not been a financially benefiting job but became more of a way of life. I looked upon it as a service to the community."

Mr Marriot had a word of warning for his successors. He said: "Watch out for the pigeons sometimes perched in the movement room, otherwise you could get splattered.