TIME is standing still for Bolton's rail passengers.

The mechanism in the 98-year-old Trinity Street clock tower, which stands outside the railway station, has ground to a halt.

And, according to passengers, it has remained in that frozen state for some time.

The ornate clock, which stands in its own terracotta and stone tower, was originally sited on top of the old railway station on the other side of Trinity Street.

It was removed brick by brick, and rebuilt on its current site next to the bus station as part of a £3 million replacement of the bus and rail interchange in 1986.

During the move, the clock mechanism was found to be damaged beyond repair and it was replaced.

The tower is now owned by the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, but responsibility for its maintenance lies with rail operator Network Rail as part of their retail maintenance contract.

A spokesman for Network Rail said the fault with the clock was only reported one week ago and the company is now undertaking a detailed survey to establish what is wrong with its mechanism.

Network Rail admit, however, that replacement of its working devices may not be covered by their contract.

A spokesperson for the organisation described the issue as "very complicated".

He said: "GMPTE paid for the clock tower to be moved originally, but the tower and clock are entirely outside of Network Rail ownership and we do not actually own it.

We believe the mechanism in the clock itself has seized and may be irreplaceable.

Should it be necessary to replace the clock, that may not come under our maintenance contract.

In this case, we may need to go back to GMPTE to discuss who will finance a new clock."