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Revellers preparing for New Year | Revellers preparing for New Year |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Millions of people across the UK are preparing to usher in the New Year. | Millions of people across the UK are preparing to usher in the New Year. |
Crowds of at least 350,000 people are gathering in London, with many lining up at the River Thames for the firework display at the London Eye. | |
In Edinburgh, about 50,000 revellers are enjoying the street party, with 15,000 in Glasgow's George Square. | |
In Cardiff, some 30,000 people are due at the Calennig celebrations at Cardiff Castle, and 5,500 are attending an open air concern in Belfast. | |
London Mayor Ken Livingstone said the annual New Year's Eve fireworks display at the London Eye was "world famous". | |
We're getting a bit wet, but everyone seems to be having a good time Keeley Taylor, 19, in London | |
Metropolitan Police Superintendent Andy Tarrant said plans for the capital's New Year events had been going on for almost 12 months. | |
"We have got in excess of 3,600 police officers on duty to make the evening as safe and crime-free as possible," he said. | "We have got in excess of 3,600 police officers on duty to make the evening as safe and crime-free as possible," he said. |
Keeley Taylor, 19, travelled from Bolton, Lancs, to spend midnight in the capital. | |
"We're getting a bit wet, but everyone seems to be having a good time and there's a really good atmosphere here," she said. | |
Thirty-six-year-old Steven Lewin, from South Africa, was also planning to see the fireworks. | |
"This is my last Christmas in the UK, and I thought I'd do something a bit cultural and see central London over the New Year," he said. | |
Travel difficulties | |
In Edinburgh, mild conditions dispelled fears that there would be a repeat of last year's disappointment, when the event was cancelled hours before midnight because of severe weather. | |
X-Factor winner Leon Jackson had been due to open the Hogmanay street party at 2200 GMT, but was forced to pull out due to ill health. | |
Newcastle is another city which is having a firework display, at Foreshore Park. | Newcastle is another city which is having a firework display, at Foreshore Park. |
Bristol is holding a New Year's Eve Gala at Colston Hall, which is hosting an evening with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. | Bristol is holding a New Year's Eve Gala at Colston Hall, which is hosting an evening with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. |
There is a free event at the Anglican cathedral in Liverpool, where the Love and Joy Gospel Choir will be singing. | There is a free event at the Anglican cathedral in Liverpool, where the Love and Joy Gospel Choir will be singing. |
But thousands of rail passengers travelling over New Year are facing further delays after overrunning engineering work was extended by another day. | |
The work affects Virgin Trains to and from the West Midlands, Scotland, north Wales and north-west England. | |
Services will now not return to normal until 0530 GMT on 2 January. | Services will now not return to normal until 0530 GMT on 2 January. |