Big Ben has chimed for three minutes to ring in the Olympic Games.

Special permission was gained for the hour bell at the Palace of Westminster to be allowed to toll non-stop.

It is believed to be the first time that Big Ben has rung outside its normal schedule since February 16 1952. At that time it tolled every minute for 56 strikes for the funeral of King George VI.

The London landmark pealed 40 times on Friday morning and was joined by hundreds of churches and other organisations across the nation.