TWO Southend companies are backing a campaign to save a historic clock.

The Jones clock, which hung in Southend High Street above RA Jones Jewellers for more than 100 years had to be removed last year after falling into disrepair.

Heritage group Ros Southend Past in Photos, Old Southend and Memories mounted a fundraising campaign with Southend Museums to raise £8,000 to restore the old clock so that it can take pride of place once more.

Now Primo and FML Insurance have joined the fundraising effort.

The companies are inviting other businesses to get involved on their Facebook page.

Each Facebook like from a business will generate £1 to the fund to a maximum of £500

Each business that likes the page will receive a like in return.

The companies said: “The project is simple. The RA Jones’ clock was starting to show it’s age so Southend Museums Services and a group of dedicated Southend history buffs namely Ros Southend Past in Photos, Old Southend and Memories are trying to raise funds to have the clock restored in all its glory and have it rehung in its rightful place.

“So, as Southend is our home too we thought we’d try and help. We came up with an idea that for every business that likes the FML Insurance Services’ Facebook page or our Primo page we will donate £1 with an upper limit of 500 Facebook likes and then attach any staff donations on top of that and present it to those concerned.”

They added: “We are mainly looking at business Facebook likes and they don’t have to come from Southend businesses.

“Here’s to another 100 years of Southend heritage and hopefully another 100 years of knowing the right time in Southend.”

To donate to the cause, go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/projectticktock