Dispute may silence Big Ben

The hands of Britain's most famous clock could grind to a halt because of a row over its cleaning and maintenance.

Big Ben is due to be given its twice-yearly overhaul this weekend when the clocks go forward to British summer time. But a dispute between the private contractor responsible for the upkeep and the Palace of Westminster could mean the springclean will not go ahead.

Experts say without the vital maintenance work the clock could stop.