A community clock will be put back in Wellington Town Square after campaigners armed with a 5,725-name petition persuaded councillors to vote unanimously in favour of reinstating it.
More than 40 residents, some waving placards, cheered on Tuesday night as Wellington Town Council chose to return the timepiece to the square.
Campaigner Peter Jones said: “It’s people power at its very best and it just shows what can be done.
“I’m absolutely over the moon, it’s made us all so happy.
“It’s been weeks of hard work, everyone’s worked tirelessly but it’s paid of because the petition swung it for us.
“The community have told us how strongly they feel about the issue, and what the clock means to them, and they didn’t like not being listened to.”
The 16ft clock was unveiled in January 2000 as part of the Millennium celebrations. It cost £10,500 with about 75 per cent of that cost being met by local contributions, many making donations as a memorium.
Councillor Angela McClements, who has been campaigning to keep the clock since it was first moved earlier this year, said: “I don’t think it needed to happen.
“The strength of feeling is overwhelming. It’s fantastic.
“I believe the council should apologise. There was a failure of this council to understand the strength of feeling of the people of Wellington and the affection that they have for the clock.
“Let’s get on with the job of putting it back where it belongs.”
Despite a public consultation which showed that people of Wellington did not want the town’s clock moved from the Market Square, councillors voted against them saying it should be moved to provide a more open and uncluttered square.
Councillor Karen Tomlinson added: “It’s sad this happened in the first place.
“We had a vote in October, and a consultation with the public, the people said they wanted it left.
“I’m disappointed it was moved but I’m glad we have decided to put it back where it belongs.”
Some councillors said they would not apologise for considering to move the clock in a bid to save funds and clear the square so it could be used for markets and street entertainment.
Councillor Philip Morris-Jones said: “I still think this council was right to try and move the clock from the square but at the end of the day people power must win.”