UK based boyband One Direction have teased fans today (May 9) by unveiling a countdown clock with an end date of May 16, 2013.

While the lads are yet to unveil any more information about the surprise that's in store for fans around the globe, they have called the project 'One Big Announcement' and a message on their collective Twitter account tells followers to set alarms for the big reveal:

"You could also set your alarms on your phones as an extra precaution... #OneBigAnnouncement7DaysToGo."

Member Niall Horan took to his own social networking page earlier this afternoon and told his 11.3 million followers: "THE most exciting 1D news EVER is being announced in 6 days!"

The live countdown can be seen at onebigannouncement.com.

Watch the heartthrobs perform 'Live While We're Young' at a recent European concert below: