A landmark clock tower is to be saved after health bosses gave a commitment it will be preserved and refurbished.

The Stobhill Hospital clock can be seen from all over the north of the city but there were fears it could be demolished as the site is derelict as old hospital buildings were closed and a new hospital built within the grounds.

Paul Sweeney Labour Glasgow North East MP was concerned that the clock tower could be lost in a demolition plan for old unused buildings.

He contacted Greater Glasgow Health Board and has received a commitment from the Chief Executive over the clock tower.

Mr Sweeney said: “I welcome the good news about the restoration of the clock tower after proposing it to the chief executive.

“It is a Glasgow landmark and it will be symbolic of the optimism I and many others feel about the north of the city to see it lit and working again.

“The Stobhill site is an important part of our architectural and social heritage in the north of the city, yet it has been treated poorly since the closure of the original acute hospital buildings and the move over to the new ambulatory care hospital in 2011.

The MP suggested that the building would not have been allowed to fall into disrepair had it been located in a different part of Glasgow.

He added: “It is inconceivable that such neglect would have taken place to such important buildings in the West End or the South Side.

“It is simply unacceptable that these iconic structures are not being protected and put to better use for the public good.”

The hospital was the site of a series fires in recent years and has been stripped of valuable metals by criminals looking for scrap.

The MP raised those issues with the health board while asking for the clock tower to be retained and returned to working order.

He said he has now been contacted by Jane Grant NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde chief executive, who confirmed that the tower will be “retained and refurbished”.

There appeared to be confusion about the listed status of a number of buildings at the old hospital site which dates back to 1904.

Ms Sweeney said: “I intend to hold the board to account to ensure future development of the Stobhill site is both appropriate and ambitious for our community.

“We have seen what is possible with the sympathetic treatment of the former Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh and now the former Victoria Infirmary at Battlefield. I expect no less for Springburn.”