A Skipton business believes it has clocked up an industry first.

Napiers Restaurant has installed a restored antique time clock which logs diners' arrival and departure times to the minute.

Ian Ackroyd, owner of the Chapel Hill restaurant, has adapted the clock as a novel billing device.

He said: "Clocking our customers in and out has proved a real talking point, but the machine has practical uses."

Mr Ackroyd has had special timecards printed and has even installed a factory-style cardholder.

He added: "We're using them for bar and food bills, as well as promoting our opening times, contact and website details.

"Children love clocking their parents in and out, though business people and spouses may do well to remember that in and out times are exact."

The time clock was manufactured more than 100 years ago by Time Recorders (Leeds) Ltd.

It was bought by Mr Ackroyd from a local antiques shop earlier this year for use initially as a clock in the restaurant bar.

He then learned from customer Roger Wiseman, who works for Homeloan Management in Skipton, that his grandfather William Wiseman - who owned Owd Bill Motors in Broughton Road - had used the time clock from the turn of the last century right up until 1985 when the business closed.

Mr Ackroyd explained: "While the clock was still working, the printing ribbon had run out and I never dreamed I'd be able to source one after so many years.

"When I discovered a computer printer ribbon that would fit perfectly, I had the clock reconfigured so that it would work exactly as it had in its original condition."