Abstract: A control circuit for a stepping motor (20) comprises a transistorised drive circuit (122) having a plurality of switching positions in each of which the drive circuit (122) is arranged to supply current to selected windings of the stepping motor in selected directions. A sequencer (130) is arranged to apply control signals to the drive circuit (122) to change the switching positions in sequence. An encoder (128) provides a train of pulses representative of the speed and position of the motor (120). An excitation controller (134) is arranged to receive the encoder pulses and to generate in response thereto change excitation signals for causing change of the switching positions, and change direction signals for determining the direction in which the sequence of switching positions is changed.