Deal's historic landmark will be out of action after mechanical failure has stopped the ball rising and falling to signal the time.

The problem at the seafront Timeball Tower developed unexpectedly and members of the Deal Museum Trust are unsure when the ball will be back in action.

Trust chairman Dr Steve Chappell said: "The timeball mechanism has suffered a mechanical failure and has prevented the dropping of the timeball which normally takes place every hour between 9am and 5pm every day from Easter to the end of September.

"The drive belt responsible for moving the timeball caused the ball to drop violently and caused some bolts to shear. Engineers from the clockmakers Gillett and Johnston have visited the historic landmark and will be repairing the mechanism.

Mr Chappell added: "The timeball has been left in a safe condition but some of the mechanism will need to be taken apart to effect a proper repair. We hope to have the mechanism back in working order within a few weeks, but this is outside of our control."