big ben goes on strike

28.05.05

The chimes of Big Ben, London's famous clock, were silent for more than an hour last night. The cause of the problem remains a mystery, with experts apparently putting it down to 'age'.

The Palace of Westminster's 147 year old clock is considered to be one of the most reliable in the world. It stopped yesterday at 22:07. After a short while the minute hand started to move again, but it stopped again at 22:20. The hands stayed on 10:20 pm for 90 minutes before being reset.

Initial reports suggested that the hot weather may have been the cause. Temperature's in London reached 32C (90F) yesterday - the hottest May day since 1953. However later reports suggested that experts could not find the cause and put it down to 'age'.

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