Barking Town Hall clocktower

Even a broken clock is right time twice a day.

Barking Town Hall clocktower

But Barking clocktower is far more interesting, as it simultaneously gives three different times to passers-by.

Clocks on the imposing town hall structure unveiled in 1958 are out of sync with the others.

One face says it’s 2.43pm, another 2.44pm, a third 2.43pm and the fourth lets you travel back in time to 2.37pm.

The discovery has left Barking people bemused.

Barking Town Hall clocktower

Suleyman Erturk, 39, of Turquoise jewellery in nearby London Road, said: “They should be careful. It should be accurate. It’s the council’s job to make sure it’s exact.”

Andrew Bond, 43, the ringing master of St Margaret’s church in The Broadway, Barking, said: “It’s not really much use of a clock if it doesn’t give the same time.

“To the best of my knowledge our clock is more regular than theirs.”

Barry Burke, 53, of the Broadway Theatre on The Broadway, added: “I was completely unaware of it. It’s an interesting discovery. I’m sure somebody in the council will put it right once it’s been pointed out to them.”

A Barking and Dagenham Council spokesman said today: “We are aware of the difference on the faces of the clocks in Barking Town Hall and we are working with our contractors to resolve it. We apologise for this technical mishap.”