Mitcham’s restored Grade-II listed clock tower was unveiled on Friday by Merton mayor David Chung as part of a £6.2m regeneration project for the area.

School children and residents braved the chilly weather to inaugurate the clock and take part in a day of Christmas activities in Fair Green including a children’s choir performance and Santa’s grotto, writes Helen Corbett.

September 2013: Multi-million pound regeneration of Mitcham could start in November

There was a Christmas market and performance from the St Mark's Academy steel band, as well as the Christmas lights switch on in the afternoon.

Councillor Chung, who has lived in Mitcham for 34 years, sees the clock as a symbol of the area’s history and hopes it will encourage people to visit the town centre more often and increase trade for local businesses.

Wimbledon Times:

Children from Cranmer School's choir perform at the event on Friday

August 2015: 'It's part of what makes Mitcham Mitcham' - Clock tower returns to town centre after restoration work

He said: “This clock is iconic. When you think of Mitcham, we want you to think of the clock.

“We need people to use the centre – if you don’t use it, you won’t get anything out of it.”

October 2015: Turning back time: Mitcham's Clock Tower restored to former glory

He said: “Mitcham’s clock tower has even been mentioned in the House of Commons.

“The opposition was compared to the Mitcham clock tower - because it doesn’t work!”

The running joke of the clock that does not always tick along as it should was echoed by residents who came out to see the revamped clock tower be unveiled, despite the drizzle.

Long-time resident Jim McManus, 82, is originally from Ireland but has lived in Mitcham for 63 years.

He said: “It’s really nice. We just hope that it actually works unlike before when it used to just stop and go, stop and go.”

Ann Church, 76, was born and bred in Mitcham and is delighted that the clock she grew up with has been given a new lease of life.

She said: “It is a part of Mitcham – the town’s centrepiece.”

The clock face has been fitted with electric lanterns to illuminate it, which was once the job of gas lanterns when it was originally installed in 1898 to mark Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

The original drinking fountain at its base has also been restored.

Leader of Merton Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis said: “It’s Mitcham’s turn. It’s exciting. It’s not the end, it’s the beginning of regenerating Mitcham.

“The project is ‘Rediscover Mitcham’ because we want to get back to its village and community feel, but also attract commercial interest.

“There’s a lot of other parts of Mitcham we want to improve as well. There’s still a long way to go. It’s exciting times for the community and Mitcham town centre.”

Next on the Rediscover Mitcham development agenda are improvements to Majestic Way in January. A new 'shared use zone' will be created with a cycle path through the middle along with new paving, lighting and trees.

The council said the cycle path forms part of an important link between Mitcham Eastfields and seeks to improve safety down the lane by providing clear pathways for both pedestrians and cyclists. Leaflets detailing the design were due to be delivered to residents and businesses in October and November 2015.

Visit www.merton.gov.uk for more information on the plans.