A Support The Timeball Tower campaign to boost Deal’s iconic landmark is being launched by historian and Deal Society chairman Alan Clarke.

Mr Clarke has pledged to start an annual membership for the Timeball Tower to draw in funds after a decline in visitor numbers.

Having spoken to the tower’s treasurer Mike Carey, Mr Clarke has been appointed membership secretary.

Membership will cost £10 for a couple and £6 for singles and will include entry to the tower for a year.

He said: “As an amateur historian I feel passionately about the Timeball Tower that I really want to do the best I can.

“At the height of our naval supremacy, when we ranked with Plymouth, Chatham and Portsmouth as a Roadstead Anchorage, the Timeball Tower was vital in letting mariners set their instruments when the ball fell at 1pm.

“Only three others remain in the UK, but if you look up its history Deal’s still remains one of the most famous in the world.

“Any photographs of Deal will inevitably include the tower and it no longer standing sentinel over our town is unthinkable.”

The Timeball Tower’s outgoings each year include £2,000 for employer’s liability and building insurance, water rates at about £250, electricity bills at £400 to £500 pounds and its telephone line which costs £400.

Mr Carey said: “Our funds are never strong. As treasurer I always have to watch the cash flow and this is a particularly difficult time of the year.

“Our target is £30 a day when we are open five days a week in the summer.

“This year, we didn’t make that on many occasion.”

Visitors numbers from May to September 2015 show 655 adults and 131 children.

“That’s about what we’ve seen for the past two or three years,” he said. “We wouldn’t like to see it go any lower.”

Mr Carey was keen to highlight that the historical monument did, however, have a very successful Christmas, raising almost £800 through the Santa’s Grotto and New Year events. The committee would like to thank those who visited and donated.

Follow them on twitter @DealTimeball or visit www.dealtimeball.co.uk for more information.

To become a Timeball Tower member call Alan Clarke on 01304 379677 or email clac3@sky.com