Residents in an Aberdeenshire village are counting down the seconds to an event which will raise money to restore their “landmark” church clock.
Strong winds caused severe damage to the three faces on the clock at West Mearns Parish Church in Auchenblae.
The gusts blew one of the faces to the ground, while inspection of the others revealed decades of weather damage.
Now concerned locals will be holding a silent auction to raise the £6,000 needed for the restoration from 11am to 2pm today at the village hall.
The entry charge of £1 covers a “discreet bidder number” and complimentary coffee.
The silent auction tables will display many collectible items including Korean ceramic vases, soapstone boxes, early oil industry memorabilia, chinaware, railway books, as well as rare local photographs and postcards.
At 1.30pm a bell will ring to announce that the auction will close in 15 minutes – to give people a chance to get in any last-minute bids.
Dedicated churchgoer Jenny Thomson, 70, said there would be much to see and do at the event.
She said: “The clock is really a landmark of the village, lots of people look there for the time rather than at their wrists.
“It was one of the local ladies in the village who first told us that the clock face had blown down and we were shocked.
“We had a man in a cherry-picker go up and have a look at the others and they were also in need of repair.
“I guess these things happen with old buildings but that’s the reason we’re now holding the auction – to bring it back to its old glory.”
The church was built in the 1820s, and there has been no restoration work on the clock since 1966.
Mrs Thomson added: “Everyone is really keen to see the clocks back in place.
“I’d really urge as many people as possible to come along – not just to help with the clock but also to see all the great bargains.”
Lunches comprising of a soup and sweet will also be available for £4, with all proceeds also going towards the clock restoration.