One of Britain's most iconic sounds has fallen silent this lunchtime.
Big Ben will not be heard for the next four years - except for special events such as New Year's Eve.
Hundreds gathered to hear the final daily 'bong', including a number of MPs.
The clock is being shut down to allow maintenance works to take place.
It has been argued that scaffolding and workers' hearing could be damaged if the bell continued to ring.
Renovations are expected to cost at least £29m (almost €32m) - but some fear it could ultimately cost as much as double that amount.
A number of British politicians have called for the bell to be rung on the day Britain leaves the EU in March 2019.
Sinead Spain reports:
