An iconic clock that has kept time for the village of Guardbridge for six decades has been struck by thieves.
When the timepiece on the side of the former paper mill stopped ticking just after midnight, staff initially thought it was simply in need of a helping hand.
But then they discovered the control mechanism, a master clock inside the building, had been stolen.
Police, however, hope it will soon be time up for the thieves rather than the clock, as CCTV footage shows two men arriving and departing in a white van.
The thieves would have had to cut electric cables to remove the oak-encased Gents Pulsynetic clock and its pendulum and it would have taken both of them to carry it out.
After the mill closed in 2008, the building was taken over by St Andrews University.
Director of estates John Maguire said: “The mechanism is crucial to the working of the main clock. In itself, it has very little monetary value but in practical and sentimental terms it is irreplaceable.
“The mill clock, which has been helping keep local people, residents, passing tourists and commuters on track for around 60 years, simply cannot function without it.”
Describing the theft as callous, north-east Fife community safety officer PC Paul Buttercase said: “The fact that the clock and mechanism have been a symbol in the town for many years and have now been stolen, in all probability for its scrap value, will, I’m sure, be upsetting to those who have lived and worked in the area, in particular former employees of the mill.”
The CCTV footage shows the thieves arriving at the mill just after 10.30pm on Wednesday June 5. They entered the back of the building and left with the clock more than two hours later, at around 12.40pm. Their van was parked in the old mill car park on the opposite side of the road.
Witnesses or anyone who has information that could help trace those responsible are asked to contact the police by calling 101.