THE clock at Blackburn’s old market buildings has come down, not knowing if its time has run out.

The iconic timepiece was carefully removed from the structure as demolition work continued rapidly, but its future is uncertain.

Blackburn with Darwen Council regeneration boss Maureen Bateson said: “We haven’t made any decision about the market clock as yet.”

The fast work of the diggers and ‘nibblers’ completing the knocking down of the three-day sales hall, means the latest stage of the redevelopment of the town centre is a step closer. The cleared site will see a temporary bus station rise in August.

Demolition of the remainder of the former market premises will then start, preparing the way for building a new £5million bus station in October.

Once that is completed, work on the £28million Cathedral Quarter will start, and the existing bus station will shut.

Meanwhile, a town centre road will be closed to allow for the removal of a pedestrian link bridge.

Ainsworth Street’s bus lane will close from 11pm on July 13, while workmen remove the link bridge. The work is expected to be completed by 7am the following morning.

Diversions for buses, taxis and emergency vehicles will be in place via Richmond Terrace, Victoria Street, Barbara Castle Way, Eanam and Salford and vice versa.