ONE of Inverclyde's most iconic landmarks will soon be back working like clockwork thanks to a restoration project.

Friends of Wemyss Bay Station have secured funding to restore the clock tower to its former glory.

The 120-year-old tower was built as part of the grade A listed station, which has become famous the world over as an architectural masterpiece.

But in recent years the clock has lagged behind time and now the historical group is helping to put that right for passengers and locals.

Friends of Wemyss Bay Station's Simon Dell said: "It hasn't been keeping the right time for about six years now - it runs one hour and fifty minutes behind in the summer.

"But the access for maintenance for the clock tower is no longer suitable.

"It is just footholds from the flat below from the bedroom in to the tower.

"For obvious health and safety reasons no one can go up it now.

"But the grant will be used to make sure it can be fixed and adjusted automatically from now on.

"We will also be upgrading, refurbishing and restoring the clock and are are very pleased to get the funding for the work to begin."

Wemyss Bay Station is one of the most attractive railway landmarks in the UK.

It is an end of the line station which links to the ferry terminal and was once used by thousands of holiday-makers every year to go 'doon the watter'.

The Friends group was set up in 2009 to look after the station and this is the first major work that has taken place since the massive restoration work of the rail terminus eight years ago.

Friends of Wemyss Bay were awarded the £6,000 grant funding along with the Railway Heritage Trust.

It will be given to Network Rail, who will carry out the major work which will also include new lighting.

Simon manages the hugely popular second hand bookshop run by the Friends in the station, raising vital funds to keep it up to standard.

The bookshop is now getting ready for the festive season, with a Christmas fayre planned on Saturday December 17.