Bishopstoke Parish Council is to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee by putting up two public clocks in the parish.

Councillors have unanimously agreed to splash out £2,452 to purchase two 12ft-high "Lions Head" clocks.

One will be installed at the Whalesmead shopping area on a green opposite St Paul's Church and a second will be put up at the Riverside shopping area next to the historic Shears Mill turbines.

Cash to cover the purchase, installation and running costs for the clocks will come from £5,000 - previously earmarked for the provision of bus shelters in the parish.

The money has been switched because of East-leigh council's Quality Bus Partnership with local bus companies aimed at upgrading facilities and routes for bus passengers.

Parish council chairman Anne Winstanley told councillors: "We have now learned that every bus stop in Bishopstoke is entitled to a bus shelter under the scheme."

Plans to mark the monarch's 50-year reign with the timepieces have been welcomed by several messages to parish clerk Peter Bulbeck following publication of the clock proposal in the Parish News.

Councillors heard that the move had not won universal acclaim. One letter had been received opposing the move to put a clock near the Whalesmead shops and suggested that the money would be better spent on improving the paving area.

However, Councillor Winstanley told parish council colleagues: "Most of the pavements in front of the Whalesmead shops are private property."

She added: "That area is on the borough council's list for environmental improvements."