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Revellers celebrating New Year Revellers across UK welcome 2008
(about 1 hour later)
Millions of people across the UK are celebrating the New Year. Millions of people across the UK have celebrated the arrival of the New Year.
Crowds of at least 350,000 people have gathered 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 gathered 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 Edinburgh, about 100,000 revellers enjoyed the street party, with about 15,000 in Glasgow's George Square.
In Cardiff, some 30,000 people joined in the Calennig celebrations at Cardiff Castle, and 5,500 celebrated at an open air concern in Belfast.In Cardiff, some 30,000 people joined in the Calennig celebrations at Cardiff Castle, and 5,500 celebrated at 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 LondonWe'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 London.
"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 in the city.
"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 nine arrests in London, five for drunk and disorderly behaviour. As of 0030 GMT, police said there had been 17 arrests in London, nine for drunk and disorderly behaviour.
'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
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.
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
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 held a New Year's Eve Gala at Colston Hall, which hosted 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 was a free event at the Anglican cathedral in Liverpool, where the Love and Joy Gospel Choir sang.
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 on New Year's Day are facing delays after over-running 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.