When the clutch is depressed with any gear selected, I can hear a metallic rotating noise coming from around the bell housing.

When setting off in first gear, the car shudders but once the clutch pedal is fully disengaged the car appears to drive normally, albeit a bit difficult to change gear.

The car is a 1.3 2001 Ford Fiesta Flight. I hope you can help me!

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One garage said it could be a bearing in the gearbox.
Another garage is fairly confident it is the clutch.

 

Seen this problem a few times with ka's. I'd put money on it being the clutch. The pressure plate snaps leaving the centre of it rattling about. It cant go anywhere but just makes horrible noises when the pedal is depressed. Even if it were the bearing you'd need to take the box off anyway and its not worth taking a box off for a bearing and not replacing the clutch at the same time.

 

Do you think I'm alright to drive it while it's like this or could it cause more damage? It sounds exactly as you've described! Thank you for your reply!