It sounds like a job for the king of clock-watchers - but it's not a wind-up.

Royal aides are hiring a £31,200-a-year horologist, to look after the Queen's 1,000 clocks.

While the post would be based at Buckingham Palace, the job description states the successful applicant would be expected to travel to other Royal residences.

It adds: 'You will work with a team of three based out of workshops in Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, maintaining in excess of 1,000 clocks, including many items of great historical importance and rarity, whilst also repairing a range of horological items and turret clocks.

'You will be confident and experienced at working with hand and machine tools. With particular ability to strip and clean mechanisms, make new parts, solder, turn, cut screws wheels and pinions, make hands, silver dials, pattern making, brazing and some forging.'

It is not clear whether the conservator - its official title in Royal circles - would also be expected to restore the long-lost tradition of Sandringham Time, which was brought in by members of the Royal Family when they first bought their Norfolk retreat, in the early 1860s.

Albert, Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, ordered all clocks on the estate to be set half an hour fast, to make the most of winter daylight for shooting.

The tradition was continued by King George V, after he acceded to the throne in 1925, but abolished by King Edward VIII, when he acceded briefly to the throne in 1936 before his abdication.