This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6222109.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
New Year storms disrupt parties Parade and party welcome in 2007
(about 2 hours later)
Millions of people have celebrated New Year across the UK but many events were cancelled because of winds and rain. Thousands of people are attending events in London and Brighton as the UK continues its New Year celebrations.
Organisers said they expected 400,000 people to watch London's annual New Year's Day parade, featuring more than 7,000 performers, which began at noon.
And 20,000 music fans are due to attend DJ Fatboy Slim's Brighton beach party.
Strong winds and heavy rain on New Year's Eve caused the cancellation of official events in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Liverpool and Newcastle.
'Extravaganza'
The New Year's Day parade in London, involving marching bands and carnival queens walking through the city, began in Parliament Square.
The parade will feature performers from a variety of nations making their way along the two-mile route to Piccadilly.
Temporary grandstands have been erected along the route for onlookers to enjoy the extravaganza.
A lot of places took a battering but the strong winds have now moved off BBC Weather Centre
In Brighton, thousands are expected to dance the New Year in at Fatboy Slim's beach party, Big Beach Boutique 3.
Only those who have a Brighton postcode have been able to buy the £30 tickets.
Public safety fears were raised the last time the Hove-based DJ, also known as Norman Cook, held a gig on Brighton beach, in July 2002.
The party attracted 250,000 people instead of the anticipated 60,000, leaving the emergency services struggling to cope.
Lifeboat rescue
A woman fell to her death from railings and more than 30 people were injured at the event, at which a lifeboat had to pluck revellers from the sea.
Sussex Police has reassured residents and party-goers that Monday's event will be safe.
The events on London and Brighton are going ahead after a night of severe weather across the country which saw a number of New Year's Eve shows called off.
These women struggled against the Edinburgh weather
Hogmanay events in Edinburgh and Glasgow were among those affected, as were firework displays in Newcastle and Liverpool and a concert in Belfast.Hogmanay events in Edinburgh and Glasgow were among those affected, as were firework displays in Newcastle and Liverpool and a concert in Belfast.
But around 350,000 revellers saw a midnight firework display light up the skies above the London Eye attraction.But around 350,000 revellers saw a midnight firework display light up the skies above the London Eye attraction.
Later about 400,000 people are expected to watch the annual New Year's Day parade in London. Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said: "There was atrocious weather around the country last night and we wish to send our best wishes and goodwill to those who saw their New Year's Eve disrupted."
Beach party
Elsewhere a New Year's Day party by DJ Fat Boy Slim on Brighton beach is set to go ahead.
The BBC Weather Centre said much of the UK had seen heavy rain and strong winds throughout New Year's Eve.
The worst hit areas were in Scotland, where there was prolonged rainfall and gusts of up to 76mph in Edinburgh.
About 100,000 people in the city had to be make alternative plans after the official celebrations, including a concert headlined by the Pet Shop Boys and Paolo Nutini, were cancelled.
A lot of places took a battering but the strong winds have now moved off BBC Weather Centre Outdoor concert scrapped Glasgow Hogmanay cancelled
Glasgow's cancelled event, in the city's George Square, had been expected to attract 25,000 revellers.
The city councils in Glasgow and Edinburgh said they cancelled the events because of public safety concerns.
Power in around 8,000 homes in lowland Scotland was also affected by the poor weather.
In Northern Ireland winds reached speeds of 60mph and Belfast City Council decided to cancel its outdoor Rock the Hall concert, also to ensure public safety.
'Atrocious weather'
London saw bursts of torrential rain but winds stayed at about 45mph, enabling a pyrotechnic display featuring fireworks off the London Eye and barges on the Thames to go ahead.
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said: "London has once again kicked off the New Year in style.
"My very best wishes for 2007 to all Londoners and everyone who came to the capital for the celebrations.
"There was atrocious weather around the country last night and we wish to send our best wishes and goodwill to those who saw their New Year's Eve disrupted."
The Metropolitan Police - which had 3,200 officers on duty - said all viewing areas on the Thames were full. Fifty people were arrested.The Metropolitan Police - which had 3,200 officers on duty - said all viewing areas on the Thames were full. Fifty people were arrested.
These women struggled against the Edinburgh weather
Between midnight and 0400 GMT, the London Ambulance Service said it dealt with 1,562 calls, up 8% on the same period last year, with the majority related to alcohol.Between midnight and 0400 GMT, the London Ambulance Service said it dealt with 1,562 calls, up 8% on the same period last year, with the majority related to alcohol.
A spokesman said it was the highest number of calls for a New Year's Eve they had received since the Millennium.A spokesman said it was the highest number of calls for a New Year's Eve they had received since the Millennium.
Elsewhere in the capital, Australian singer Kylie Minogue launched the British leg of her Showgirl Homecoming tour at Wembley Arena.
The storms and high winds of the weekend caused a series of accidents across the country.
On Saturday, Rebecca Smith, 18, died when a 60ft tree toppled in high winds on to a caravan in Cheadle, Staffordshire.
And a search is resuming for a man from Derby who was swept from rocks into heavy seas at Trevone Bay, near Padstowe, in Cornwall, at around 1600 GMT on Sunday.
Hail and thunder
The BBC Weather Centre said high winds had now moved away from the UK and were not expected to return.The BBC Weather Centre said high winds had now moved away from the UK and were not expected to return.
But much of the country could be hit by squalls bringing hail and thunder during New Year's Day.But much of the country could be hit by squalls bringing hail and thunder during New Year's Day.
A spokesman said: "A lot of places took a battering but the strong winds have now moved off."A spokesman said: "A lot of places took a battering but the strong winds have now moved off."
The New Year's Day parade in London, which will see marching bands and carnival queens walking through the city, begins at noon in Parliament Square.
Event spokesman Dan Kirkby said: "We are here and we are going to have great fun."
If you have any photos or video of wild and windy weather, or of your New Year's celebrations, you can send them to:If you have any photos or video of wild and windy weather, or of your New Year's celebrations, you can send them to:
yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 07725 100 100.yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 07725 100 100.