The clock on Porthleven’s iconic Bickford-Smith Institute is being put forward as a repair project for a new BBC show that members of the public can also get involved in.

The Repair Shop is a new series coming to BBC2 that is looking to repair and restore family heirlooms of historical or sentimental value, belonging to people around the UK.

Blacksmiths to ceramic restorers, clockmakers and woodworkers are all standing by to bring “beloved artefacts, antiques and curios back to life.”

At the same time, the production company has got in touch with town and parish councils – including Porthleven – to see if they have larger, community items that need tackling, for example an historic sign or church gate.

When the letter was put before Porthleven Town Council members were unanimous in their agreement over one project in particular: the clock faces on the four sides of the clock tower of the institute.

Councillor Mark Berryman said: “You could then try to get some publicity for the institute going forward as well. They might run with that and if it worked it would give any campaign a good kick start as well.”

A group of councillors and members of the community are currently looking into the future use of the institute and how to finance costly but essential repairs on the building, which is Porthleven’s best known landmark.

Individuals can also get in touch with the production team at Ricochet TV, which is making the programme, to put forward their artefacts by calling 01273 224829 or emailing repair@ricochet.co.uk.