THE 150-year-old Palace of Westminster could be closed for up to five years for a major refurbishment under plans being discussed by MPs.

The Houses of Parliament could be shut down in 2015, with MPs and peers housed temporarily in a replica chamber or at a conference centre for the duration of the repairs.

It has been suggested the refurbishment could cost as much as £3 billion.

A Commons spokesman said a study into the long-term upkeep of the UK Parliament was under way and its findings would be discussed by the year's end.

This is not the first time temporarily re-housing MPs to allow for repair work on the listed building has been discussed.

Big Ben has started to lean, although not to an extent that causes major concern, and in January cracks were reported to have appeared in palace buildings. However, the House of Commons Commission, chaired by the Speaker John Bercow, has said the palace was "structurally sound".

Refurbishment work is ongoing but a Commons source said the Victorian facilities were "creaking". The buildings are infested with mice and the plumbing and electrical systems out of date. The source added: "We either move out or spend £10bn over 20 or 30 years on trying to do the work during the summer recess."