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Parade and party welcome in 2007 Parade and party welcome in 2007
(about 3 hours later)
Thousands of people are attending events in London and Brighton as the UK continues its New Year celebrations. Thousands of people have been attending a parade in London and a music beach party 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. Organisers said about 550,000 people attended London's annual New Year's Day parade, featuring an estimated 10,000 performers from a variety of nations.
And 20,000 music fans are due to attend DJ Fatboy Slim's Brighton beach party. And 20,000 music fans are attending 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. On New Year's Eve, strong winds and heavy rain caused the cancellation of official events in a number of cities.
Among those affected were Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Liverpool and Newcastle.
'Extravaganza''Extravaganza'
The New Year's Day parade in London, involving marching bands and carnival queens walking through the city, began in Parliament Square. The New Year's Day parade in London, involving marching bands and carnival queens, began in Parliament Square at noon and continued for two miles to Piccadilly.
The parade will feature performers from a variety of nations making their way along the two-mile route to Piccadilly. Motorbikes from the Goldwing Owners Club of Britain led the event.
Temporary grandstands have been erected along the route for onlookers to enjoy the extravaganza. They were followed by the Fort Myers High School Marching Band, who had to fight a travel ban by Florida education chiefs imposed because of fears about safety in London following the 7 July attacks in 2005.
A lot of places took a battering but the strong winds have now moved off BBC Weather Centre A lot of places took a battering but the strong winds have now moved off BBC Weather Centre href="/1/hi/uk/6222109.stm" class="">In pictures: Celebrations
In Brighton, thousands are expected to dance the New Year in at Fatboy Slim's beach party, Big Beach Boutique 3. Following the decision by parents to veto the ban, the 117-strong band raised $500,000 (£260,000) to make the journey.
Russian dancers, riders on penny-farthing cycles, miniature steam engines and a Hindu Scottish pipe band were among the other performers.
In Brighton, thousands are attending Fatboy Slim's beach party, Big Beach Boutique 3.
Only those who have a Brighton postcode have been able to buy the £30 tickets.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.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.The party attracted 250,000 people instead of the anticipated 60,000, leaving the emergency services struggling to cope.
Lifeboat rescueLifeboat 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.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.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.
These women struggled against the Edinburgh weather
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."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."
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.
Ninety-nine people were arrested, mainly for public order offences and drunkenness, police said.
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 it had received since the Millennium.
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.
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."
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.