Competition launched to find new voice of BT's speaking clock

BT is on the hunt for the new voice of its speaking clock service.

A nationwide competition will be held to mark the 80th anniversary of the service, which receives 12 million calls a year.

The winner will be the fifth person to give the time "at the third stroke", after people dial 123.

Sara Mendes da Costa has been the voice of the speaking clock since winning the last competition in 2007.

Previous voices have included an actor and a London telephone exchange supervisor.

David Hay, head of BT Heritage, said: "Eighty years ago BT's technology first created the speaking clock and it remains a much loved part of British life today. Celebrating in this way demonstrates BT's determination to preserve the heritage of the world's oldest communications company on behalf of the nation."

The winner of the competition, being run in partnership with the BBC's The One Show will be announced in November. Click here to find more details.