Big Ben's bongs to be silenced

One of London's most famous landmarks - Big Ben - is going to be a lot quieter for a few weeks while it is repaired.

Big Ben is actually the name of the main bell inside the famous clock tower, and not the building itself, which is called St Stephen's Tower.

The smaller bells inside the tower - which ring every 15 minutes - are also going to be quiet.

The last time the bell will ring will be 8am on Saturday, before work starts to repair the clock tower.

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Big Ben facts The clock tower is 96 metres high The clock faces are seven metres across The main bell is officially called the Great Bell, but is nicknamed Big Ben Current bell has been used for 150 years The main bell weighs 13.5 tonnes There are 393 steps from the bottom to the top

On Saturday experts are going use ropes to slide down the south face of the clock before they start cleaning and repairing all the clock faces.

The latest repair work is the final phase before the clock's 150th anniversary in 2009.

While all the work takes place an electrical system will be used to make sure the clock keeps telling the right time.