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A giant clock counting down the hours until the 2012 Olympics in London is to be installed in Trafalgar Square.

The 6.5m (21ft) high clock, clad in brushed stainless steel panelling, will stand near the bottom of the steps leading to the North Terrace.

It will be two-sided with one side counting down to the Olympics and the other to the Paralympics.

Olympic officials will start the clock on 15 March, signalling 500 days to the start of the Games.

On the clock there will be two LED digital displays - one counting down the days, the other hours, minutes and seconds.

The plans were given the green light by Westminster Council on Thursday night.

Councillor Robert Davis said: "I can think of no more fitting or iconic place for a countdown clock to stand than Trafalgar Square, a place associated so strongly with this country's victories.

"I hope that the public and Britain's athletes will be inspired by its closeness to the world famous monument to the heroic admiral Nelson who truly gave his all for his country."

Trafalgar Square was the main location for celebrations when it was announced that London would be the host city for the 2012 Games in July 2005.