The Large Hadron Collider, built to simulate the conditions at the very start of the universe, will not restart until spring, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) said.

A tonne of liquid helium spilled into the machine's 17 mile tunnel on Friday, forcing scientists to shut it off less than ten days after the start of the project in Geneva.

Engineers need time to fully diagnose the problem and said it cannot be done as their lab is closed down for winter maintenance. The LHC must also stop in the winter, as it draws too much power to operate during the season.

CERN director general, Robert Aymar, says the shutdown is a psychological blow after years of painstaking preparation and a successful start.

"I have no doubt that we will overcome this setback with the same degree of rigour and application," Mr Aymar adds.

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