Just a second! Extra time to be added to final minute of 2016

Scientists say the "leap second" is needed to compensate for a slowdown in the Earth's rotation. Peter Whibberley, a senior research scientist at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington, said: "Leap seconds are needed to prevent civil time drifting away from Earth time. The International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service in Paris decides when leap seconds are needed, and they are always announced about six months in advance.