A famous Hove landmark damaged by vandals will not be mended.

The council says the £26,000 it will cost to fix the floral clock in Palmeira Square, Hove, is too much.

The monument was installed to mark the Queen's Coronation in 1953.

Residents and visitors can no longer use it to tell the time after it was vandalised last September, damaging its internal workings.

Now Brighton and Hove Council says the thousands of pounds needed to mend the landmark would take funds away from other much-needed projects and the floral clock is unlikely to be fixed in the near future.

A spokeswoman said: "It needs a new mechanism and we'd be happy to hear from anyone who can help.

"It's a question of allocating scarce resources.In the meantime we are maintaining the area of flower beds so it doesn't go to rack and ruin.

"We have also taken the arms off so it doesn't say the wrong time."

Pauline Harte, of nearby St John's Road, says the clock is a vital part of the town.

"If we've been able to maintain it for all these years, why can't we in the year 2000?"

Brunswick and Adelaide ward councillor Paul Elgood said: "You can't put a price on civic pride.

"The clock has been the heart of the Hove community for half a century and a large number of residents have asked me about it and say they want to see it repaired and restored.

"When you look at the number of projects that the council funds, £26,000 isn't a lot when you consider the end result."

Vallance ward councillor Simon Battle said: "I'm aware that it's out of order and it's very disappointing that vandals have caused this permanent damage.

"In my view, that square is synonymous with the floral clock and I would like to see it reinstated at some point when funding becomes available."