Part of City Hall may be peeling away, but refurbishment work has swung into action elsewhere on this famous Hamilton landmark.

An eagle-eyed photographer spotted a section of paintwork under the main tower was hardly whiter than white ? a state of affairs that left Mayor Lawson Mapp puzzled.

?I?ve not noticed it,? he told ?But I know we are doing some work up there with the tower. I?ll have to have a look at it.?

In a separate development, The Corporation of Hamilton announced it was carrying out refurbishment work on the eastern wall separating City Hall and the new bus depot. Work is underway and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Kelly Miller, corporation secretary, said: ?We are replacing the wall, both for safety reasons and aesthetics, to bring it in line with the new bus terminal that is nearing completion.

?Our aim is to carry out the work as expeditiously and with as little inconvenience to the public as possible?.

An effort to protect all foliage along the wall has been made, officials added, and will be repositioned once this project is complete.

Some parking bays at the back of City Hall will be affected by the work.