'It's a ridiculous waste of public money' – readers comment on calls to mark Brexit with Big Ben's chime

There have been calls for Big Ben to chime at 11pm on January 31 to mark Britain's departure from the European Union.

In an interview on BBC Breakfast, Boris Johnson said the Government was working up a plan to fund the costs - and the public may be able to "bung a bob for a Big Ben bong".

We asked in our Facebook poll: “But with an estimated cost of £500,000 to make it happen, would you like to see the bells ring out to mark Brexit?”

More than 1,600 people took part in our online vote and 63% of readers don’t want to see Big Ben ring out on January 31, at 11pm.

Here’s what you had to say:

Graeme Wharton said: “Will we hear it in Sunderland? If not no.”

Lucy Nolan said: “Set an alarm on ya phone, its cheaper and you can snooze it when Brexit is delayed again!”

Bill Middlemas said: “The Big Ben repair is already contracted and costed, we don't need to be throwing £500,000 away just for the sake of a one-minute bell chime.”

Gavin Myers said: “Half a million, to do what? Make a bell ring? I'll do it for a tenner and a Mars Bar.”

William Steel said: “Give the money to the NHS!”

Jackie Hopps said: “I think it's a ridiculous waste of public money that would be better spent on policing or NHS.”