The restoration of the 119-year-old Sheerness coronation clock tower is on time for its return to the town centre in May.

Clock-makers Smith of Derby, who made the original clock, have had it in their workshop since it was dismantled in September.

Engineers have recreated metal lantern brackets which adorned the tower when it was first erected in 1902 to mark the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. The brackets were originally made to hold gas lights.

The base, previously in red, white and blue, has been repainted in its original colour of holly bush green with dashes of gold. It will also feature bright red plaques featuring the king and queen.

Stunning dragons, which sit at each corner at the top of the tower, and 24 small red flowers, have all been bead-blasted and gilded with 22.5 carat gold leaf.

The tower's 220lb (100 kilos) bell, which chimes the hour has been cleaned and polished. It was cast by the John Taylor and Co foundry of Loughborough which also made the main bell for St Paul’s Cathedral.

The site of the clock, still hidden behind wooden hoardings, will be cleaned but concrete balls, which were to have been removed, must stay on the orders of Kent County Council (KCC).

Up-lighters sunk into cobbles have been removed and will be replaced by LED floodlights able to change colour.

The removal of the clock was captured by time-lapse photography and features on the Visit Swale website alongside photographs and interviews with council members, the public and the Smith of Derby team.

The removal of the clock was captured on time-lapse photography

The clock tower, built by Walter McFarlane & Co of Glasgow, was officially unveiled on June, 26, 1902. The district council allocated £200 twards the project. Other ideas considered were tea parties, a bonfire, fireworks and a new loo in The Crescent.

The cast-iron tower, which stands 34ft 6in tall and weighs eight tons, eventually cost £350.

The original clock mechanism, with its four 4ft diameter dials lit first by gas and later by electricity, has been stripped down, cleaned and is now being put back together.

While the clock has been away, Swale council has repainted the street furniture in the town's colour of marine blue. A large yellow sign warning motorists about the 20mph zone has been removed after consultation with KCC and Sheerness Town Council.

Swale councillors were given an update on its progress at Tuesday's Sheppey Area Committee at the Blue Town Heritage Centre. March 15