STAFF at a Huddersfield firm making displays for theme parks had no time to spare on their latest project.

Lockwood-based KD Decoratives was commissioned by the owners of Legoland Windsor to create a 15-metre clock tower to form the entrance to a new hotel being built at the theme park.

The fibre-glass and steel structure was transported in two sections to London at the weekend to be craned into position under the supervision of a team from the firm.

The company, based at Albert Street, is also providing other display items for the new 150-bedroom hotel, which includes rooms with a pirate theme.

KD director Matt Kitchen-Dunn said Legoland owner Merlin Entertainment contacted the company in November last year about supplying displays for the hotel.

A 12-strong team, led by project manager Paul Rowden and including designers and sculptors, was assembled to work full-time on the project.

Honley-based precision metalworking firm Allsops Ltd and fibre-glass specialist Martek Composites Ltd, of Lockwood, were brought in to help with the construction of the clock tower.

The project culminates in a nine-week installation programme, which is now under way.

Mr Kitchen-Dunn said: “We brought Allsops and Martek in because it is such a large project.

“The clock tower replicates the Lego bricks, but has been substantially scaled up. We had to built the clock tower in two sections because we did not have enough space. We would have needed to build a bigger building first.”

The sections were wrapped on Saturday to travel down the M1 and M25 as a wide load to be craned into position this morning.

The project is the latest in a number of contracts carried out by KD for Merlin Entertainments – the company behind popular tourist attractions including Alton Towers, the London Dungeon and Madame Tussaud’s.

KD Decoratives was founded more than 30 years ago by Matt’s parents, Richard and Gloria Kitchen-Dunn.

The firm provides animated and static displays for shopping centres, cruise liners, theme parks and other leisure venues.

It has also supplied decorations for customers in Europe, the Middle East, South America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

The new hotel at Legoland Windsor is due to open in March next year and will include themed bedrooms, indoor water play area, an adult swimming pool, themed restaurants and bar.