Big Ben starts three-minute bell-ringing to mark Olympic Games

Big Ben rang in the London 2012 Olympic Games this morning, along with bells around the country, to mark the start of the historic two-week event.

The bells chimed for three minutes from 8.12am to signify the Games, courtesy of the London 2012 Festival commission 'All The Bells' by artist Martin Creed.

Director of the Cultural Olympiad and London 2012 Festival, Ruth Mackenzie, said: "The commission shows the Festival's commitment to world-class artists and to the values of participation.

"Martin Creed's wonderful idea gets everyone involved in the opening day of the Games not just as an audience but as an integral part of the work."

People from all around the country planned to participate by chiming an array of bells, from hand bells to doorbells.