PLANNING chiefs have approved proposals to safeguard council staff by fitting a town hall clock with an automatic winder.

The scheme will prevent employees of Fordingbridge Town Council from having to climb inside the clock tower every week to wind the device themselves.

Town council officials said an automatic winder would provide staff with a "significant" health and safety benefit.

The scheme has now been given the green light by New Forest District Council.

A planning officers' report said: "The proposal seeks to fit the clock with an automatic winder because staff have to climb the tower on a weekly basis to wind the clock, which presents a health and safety risk."

The report said the district council's conservation officer initially raised an objection.

But it added: "A supplementary statement and further information was submitted. The officer was then satisfied that the proposal would not unacceptably impact upon the character and significance of the listed building."