A POPULAR clock which was removed to make way for Christmas lights will not be replaced, it was revealed today.

Council officials have confirmed that the Millennium Countdown Clock, which overlooked Darwen bus station and market, will not be returned to its popular vantage point.

The clock was originally hung up in the run-up to the new millennium in a bid to create a sense of excitement and anticipation.

After January 1 2000, council bosses agreed it could remain in place on Darwen town hall because it had proved a popular time-piece with locals, and was used as a regular clock.

But it was removed before last Christmas, apparently to make way for Christmas lights and repair work to the front of the town hall.

Today, council bosses confirmed the clock was now kept in storage so it could be used, along with an identical one hung up in Blackburn, on loan for sporting events.

Graham Burgess, executive director at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "The council secured £80,000 from the National Lottery for its millennium celebrations.

"After the millennium, these clocks told the time. The one at Blackburn was removed after the new year.

"The Darwen clock overlooked the bus station and passengers were pleased with the addition.

"The clock was, however, removed two months ago when the Christmas lights were taken down and some maintenance work was carried out to the front of the market building.

"Both clocks are still in full-working order and can be reprogrammed for a number of uses, including as a stop watch at sporting events."

But Coun Paul Browne, leader of the Liberal Democrats and a Darwen councillor, said: "The whole reason it was kept up there after the millennium is because it was so popular with people."