London: do you know it?

Two-thirds of Londoners don't know what Big Ben is, according to a new survey.

The findings emerge today in a poll commissioned by Totally London, the Mayor's promotion campaign to attract visitors.

Pollsters ICM asked 500 residents 10 questions on London. Shockingly, respondents got an average of one question in 10 right. South Londoners scored best with 1.7 points out of 10, with east Londoners doing worst - getting just 0.91 points.

In fact, 59 per cent of east Londoners failed to get a single question right - despite many counting themselves as true Cockneys.

The findings are published to coincide-with the £6million second stage of Totally London: a month of festivals known as the Totally London Tour which aim to encourage people to rediscover their city.

The researchers found:

Half of Londoners think Big Ben is the clock tower at the Houses of Parliament and a further 13 per cent think it is the clock face

Almost eight in 10 think St Paul's Cathedral is one of London's four world heritage sites

Nearly one in four thought that, according to legend, England would be invaded if the ravens were to flee the Tower of London

37 per cent were unaware what Trooping the Colour signifies

Many Londoners were also unaware of the work of one of the city's most renowned architects, Lord Foster, being unsure whether he designed the London Eye, the British Library or the Great Court at the British Museum.

Knowledge of London is lowest among those aged 18 to 24 but highest-among people aged 65 or over. David Campbell, chief executive of Visit London, said: "Even though we see these famous landmarks every day there is always more to discover about them and the city as a whole, as our survey suggests.

"The beauty of living in such a vibrant capital is that it is endlessly surprising."

For full details of the Totally London Tour see the leaflet in today's Metro Life magazine or visit www.visitlondon.com