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| Revellers preparing for New Year | Revellers preparing for New Year |
| (10 minutes 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. | 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 100,000 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. | 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". | 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 | We're getting a bit wet, but everyone seems to be having a good time Keeley Taylor, 19, in London |
| Keeley Taylor, 19, travelled from Bolton, Lancs, to spend midnight in the capital. | 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. | "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. | 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. | "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. |
| Londoner James O'Shea, 32, said "It's amazing to be in one of the world's most vibrant cities on a night like this." | Londoner James O'Shea, 32, said "It's amazing to be in one of the world's most vibrant cities on a night like this." |
| 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 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. |
| As midnight approached, police said there had been four arrests in London. | |
| 'All the stops' | 'All the stops' |
| I've come to the Hogmanay party because I've heard it's one of the best celebrations in the world Mark Hudson, 31, in Edinburgh | I've come to the Hogmanay party because I've heard it's one of the best celebrations in the world Mark Hudson, 31, in Edinburgh |
| 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Mark Hudson, 31, from Sydney, said: "I've come to the Hogmanay party because I've heard it's one of the best celebrations in the world. | Mark Hudson, 31, from Sydney, said: "I've come to the Hogmanay party because I've heard it's one of the best celebrations in the world. |
| "I think tonight is going to be extra special because of the cancellation last year and I think they are really going to pull out all the stops." | "I think tonight is going to be extra special because of the cancellation last year and I think they are really going to pull out all the stops." |
| 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. | 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. | 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. |