The district council has accepted plans by the jewellers to remove the clock at 4 West Street as part of an application for new signage on the shopfront.

However, in a statement to the County Times today, an H Samuel spokesman said: "There is no current intention to take the clock down."

Ray Wright, Ray Wright, head of development at Horsham District Council, said: "The removal of the clock was indicated on the plans submitted by H Samuel Limited in connection with an application for new adverts they proposed on their shop.

"We have urged H Samuel to retain the clock even though they are altering their signage.

"To date, the response of the company has been that they will remove the clock 'as it is not within keeping of the new corporate image and the cost of maintenance is too expensive'."

"The building is within the Conservation area but not listed.

"We do not feel we have specific planning controls to enforce retention of the clock but have urged the company to keep it."

We are currently awaiting a response from H Samuel.