O2 exhibition will put 200 corpses on display

Anatomist Gunther von Hagens is to put on a show featuring more than 200 corpses at the O2 Arena.

The Body Worlds & the Mirror of Time exhibit will replace Tutankhamun and the Age of the Pharaohs in November.

It is the biggest exhibition so far from the doctor who performed a dissection live on Channel 4 in 2004.

Dr von Hagens says the exhibition will explain the "arc of ageing" and show "the body living through time from the spark of conception to old age". He added: "I hope this exhibition-will encourage people to strive to live with inspiration every day throughout their lives." The corpses will include foetuses and disease victims.

Dr von Hagens has previously faced protesters who claim bodies featured in his past shows could include those of executed political prisoners. He denies the allegations.

David Campbell, chief executive of AEG Europe, which owns the O2, said the exhibition would be a "must see".