THE row that has kept Carnforth's famous station clock at a standstill for ten months is to be discussed at a meeting today (Thursday).

As reported by the Gazette in February, volunteer clock-winder Jim Walker was barred from parts of Carnforth railway station after a visitor complained about comments he made regarding a national newspaper article.

Cllr Peter Yates, a custodian of the Joyce of Whitchurch clock mechanism, has made repeated calls for justice for retired railwayman Mr Walker. He says the ban put in place by Carnforth Station Trust was "unjust" because it was issued before the trust invited Mr Walker to give his version of events.

The Lancaster city councillor told the Gazette he would not allow the timepiece to be wound until the trust had apologised to Mr Walker for its treatment of him.

He described the situation as "very unpleasant and very sad". Townsfolk and traders are "incensed" by the ban, he said, and by the fact the clock - made famous after appearing in David Lean's classic film Brief Encounter - is still not running.

Chairman of Carnforth Station Trust Peter Crowther told the Gazette the matter was to be discussed by the board of trustees at a meeting today.

He said the trust had invited Mr Walker to a board meeting on February 2 to give his side of the story, but he had declined to attend. Mr Crowther said he could not comment further on the situation until after today's meeting.

The 19th century clock mechanism is owned by retired businessman Alan Smith, of Guernsey. Mr Yates said Mr Walker had wound the clock twice a week for 15 years "in hail, rain, snow or blow". Mr Yates himself maintains the clock mechanism every Sunday morning, and he said it would be "a tragedy" if the clock's owner decided to have it removed from the station platform because of the continued row.

"The rules of natural justice should dictate you're innocent till proven guilty," said Mr Yates. "The argument is about justice. If they (the trust board) would apologise to Jim for treating him unjustly I would wind the clock and get it running.

"I could do it in five minutes but I will not do it because they are being unjust to Jim."

Mr Yates described Mr Walker as having firm opinions and a heart of gold, and said the ban had caused him a great deal of anguish. He said he hoped the trust would "see sense" and apologise.