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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 expected in London, with many lining up at the River Thames for the firework display at the London Eye. 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 Scotland about 50,000 revellers are expected at Edinburgh's street party with 15,000 in Glasgow's George Square. In Edinburgh, about 50,000 revellers are enjoying the street party, with 15,000 in Glasgow's George Square.
In Wales, some 30,000 revellers are heading for the Calennig celebrations at Cardiff Castle, and 5,500 are set to attend an open air concern in Belfast. 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 thanks to the hard work of many of the capital's authorities. London Mayor Ken Livingstone said the annual New Year's Eve fireworks display at the London Eye was "world famous".
He said: "London's New Year's Eve fireworks display is world famous and the capital one of the best places in the world to be during the festive season. We're getting a bit wet, but everyone seems to be having a good time Keeley Taylor, 19, in London
"Its success is down to the many organisations, including police, transport and local authorities, that come together to provide a stunning backdrop to the capital's celebrations." Metropolitan Police Superintendent Andy Tarrant said plans for the capital's New Year events had been going on for almost 12 months.
Metropolitan Police Superintendent Andy Tarrant said plans for London'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.
"We deal with a range of different offences, ranging from drunkenness to theft. Keeley Taylor, 19, travelled from Bolton, Lancs, to spend midnight in the capital.
"If people do turn up intent on committing a crime, our message to them is that they will be arrested and dealt with appropriately." "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.
They're the habitual drinking land of those who are the far end of a drinking problem Tony Goodall, Leeds Primary Care Trust Hogmanay singer cancels
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.
More than 5,500 people are expected to attend an open air New Year's Eve concert in Belfast, with Ocean Colour Scene topping the bill at the city's Custom House Square. But thousands of rail passengers travelling over New Year are facing further delays after overrunning engineering work was extended by another day.
Travel difficulties The work affects Virgin Trains to and from the West Midlands, Scotland, north Wales and north-west England.
But thousands of rail passengers travelling for 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, with as many as 60,000 travellers expected to use the line on Monday.
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.
Meanwhile, the government has urged New Year's Eve revellers to avoid harm by drinking responsibly.
The warning comes as new rules mean firms will no longer put labels on drinks which use phrases such as "slammers" or "shooters" to stop people downing them in one go.
Tony Goodall, the head of alcohol strategy at Leeds Primary Care Trust, said another area for concern was with high-strength white ciders.
"You get them at about 8% strength.
"They're the habitual drinking land of those who are the far end of a drinking problem and also of kids, because they know that they can get smashed very, very quickly and very, very cheaply."