loud noise coming out of the steering wheel????????????????

eyup ducks,every now and then i have a realy loud noise coming out of the steering wheel(or its projected along the column to the wheel),its like a whirly scrapey type noise,and the only way to get rid of it is to press the clutch pedal fully to the floor,pressing it half way does nothing...........mmmmmmmmm........any ideas oh great ones cause its bafflin the s**t outta me!!!!!!!................kind regards

sounds like yer release bearing