IT was removed 10 years ago amid fears about its safety — but after a major revamp one of the most iconic timepieces in Bolton is back.

The timeball at the top of the Prestons of Bolton clock tower was officially switched on at 12.55pm on Saturday.

Ruth Porritt flicked the switch after winning a competition in The Bolton News.

A crowd of spectators had to wait an extra 10 minutes while a technical glitch was corrected. But cheers rang out as the ball rose for the first time in more than 10 years at 1.05pm.

It will now rise on a daily basis at 12.55pm and fall at 1pm.

Store manager Sue Hurst said: “We are giving back to Bolton a piece of its architectural heritage.

“The timeball had to be taken down 10 years ago due to damage, but after undergoing such a major refurbishment, this is the last piece of the puzzle, and the store is back to how it used to be.”

The original timeball was positioned on the tower in 1913 and signalled the time to mill workers for many years.

The replacement ball is made of brass and gold leaf, with vertical brass shafts.

The device has been manufactured by Peter Dooley Design Ltd, of Macclesfield, and cost about £20,000.

Karl Massey, Prestons of Bolton managing director, said: “It’s an historic day for Bolton. Having undergone a £1 million refurbishment programme to bring this exceptional building to its former glory by completely and sympathetically rebuilding the interior, the new timeball is the icing on the cake.”

It took two years of planning and structural renovation of the clock tower to prepare for the new timeball.

The only other remaining timeballs in the UK are at Greenwich and Deal in Kent.

Mrs Porritt, aged 70, from Deane, said: “I feel wonderful. It’s 50 years since I got my wedding ring from Prestons and I think the store is fantastic.”

To mark the event, Prestons of Bolton arranged for Old Father Time to visit the town centre, where he and his helpers sold raffle tickets to support the Samantha Dickinson Brain Tumour Trust, the largest brain tumour charity in the UK.