Big Ben to ring again on New Year’s Eve

Big Ben will chime again to ring in the new year, House of Commons authorities have said.

The UK’s most famous clock tower has been mostly silent for years due to repairs – only returning to life for significant events.

It last rang on 11 November to commemorate Armistice Day.

Some campaigners had wanted Big Ben to mark the UK’s departure from the EU, but were unsuccessful despite raising more than £200,000.

The House of Commons estimated that ringing the bell to mark Brexit would have cost at least £500,000.

The four-year restoration scheme of the Elizabeth Tower, which houses the bell, began in 2017.

In February it was revealed that the cost had risen by almost a third to £79.7m.