Congregation in small village find themselves a little late for Sunday service due to ‘quirky’ clock that never strikes 11

It may look like a traditional church, but the pastor says he is ‘proud’ of its unique history.

St Ethelbert’s in Littledean, Gloucestershire has a clock that never strikes 11 due to a design flaw.

The 14th-century church has a unique error on its dial, with the Roman numerals indicating time skip at number 11.

Pastor Mark Barnsley said he was proud of the church’s history and described the bell (pictured) as ‘local folklore’

Instead, the numbers go from IX (9) to X (10) and back to IX (9) on the monumental building.

Pastor Mark Barnsley said he was proud of the church’s history and described the clock as ‘local folklore’.

While the clock was being renovated ten years ago, the church sought special permission from the Church of England’s Diocesan Advisory Council to preserve the much-loved oddity.

Reverend Barnsley said: ‘It’s been a long time since we’ve had eleven o’clock.