Enormous firework display

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Enormous firework display lights up central London as UK celebrates 2013 in style About 250,000 people lined the banks of the Thames to witness the incredible display of pyrotechnics and lights Around 75,000 partygoers joined in a mass rendition of Auld Lang Syne after the clock struck midnight in Edinburgh By Anthony Bond PUBLISHED: 00:11 GMT, 1 January 2013 | UPDATED: 02:28 GMT, 1 January 2013 An enormous firework display in central London has kick-started Britain's New Year celebrations in style. About 250,000 people lined the banks of the Thames to witness the incredible display of pyrotechnics and lights. Up and down the country, millions of people packed into towns and cities to celebrate 2013 following the astonishing success of 2012. Colourful: Thousands of people have lined the banks of the Thames to see the extravagant firework display light up the capital Ambitious: Thousands of people lined the banks of the Thames to witness the incredible display of pyrotechnics and lights Elaborate: The London Eye is dwarfed by the impressive fireworks Bright: Fireworks explode around the London Eye during New Year's celebrations in central London Popular: The banks of the River Thames near Parliament in central London were packed with thousands of happy revellers Attractive: The capital's skyline was transformed during the incredible firework display The spectacle in London saw a quarter-of-a-million people gather on the banks of the Thames to watch the 11-minute firework show which followed the traditional counting down of the final seconds by Big Ben. People cheered as the capital's famous landmarks were bathed in the light of the display, which included streamers shot out of the London Eye and blazing rockets launched from the banks of the River Thames. There were impromptu fireworks displays throughout much of London as the city remembered a year that saw the success of London 2012, the Queen's diamond jubilee and the announcement that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their first child. Thousands of revellers partied on the streets of Edinburgh - dubbed the home of Hogmanay - to welcome the new year. Around 75,000 partygoers counted down the last 10 seconds of 2012 before joining in a mass rendition of Auld Lang Syne after the clock struck midnight in Edinburgh. The world-famous event saw Scottish rock band Simple Minds headline the Concert in the Gardens, following performances from The View and Bwani Junction. Celebration: Fireworks light up the London skyline - including the Elizabeth Tower housing Big Ben - just after midnight Party: Up and down the country, millions of people have packed into town's and cities to celebrate 2013 following the astonishing success of 2012 Busy: Thousands of people packed onto Westminster Bridge to watch the impressive firework show Lavish: The London Eye is barely noticeable through the bright firework display They were among 14 acts performing across five stages, including Mercury Prize nominees The Maccabees and Reverend and the Makers. Countdown fireworks at 9pm, 10pm and 11pm set the sky alight, with the five-minute midnight display from the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle set to music for the first time. The tracks played were from bands who have performed at the street party in the past as more than 2,000 firework cues were used, triggering over 17,000 shots from 45 locations. Partygoers from across the world visited the city to join in the events, which also included a ceilidh with 3,000 people dancing as the bells chimed. Tickets for the celebrations were bought by those in more than 60 countries, including Australia, Brazil, Japan, Turkey and the US. Stunning: Fireworks mark the new year during the 2013 Edinburgh Hogmanay celebrations in Scotland Happy: Revellers write the number 2013 with sparklers during the Hogmanay street party celebrations in Edinburgh Beautiful: Fireworks went off earlier this evening over Edinburgh Castle as part of the new year 2013 Edinburgh Hogmanay celebrations Friendly: Kat Parker, left, and Georgia Rochester, right, kiss Sergeant Stevenson, centre, ahead of the new year celebrations in Edinburgh Pete Irvine, artistic director of Edinburgh's Hogmanay, said: 'I think it's going really well this year. 'Last night we had our opening event with a record crowd at the torchlight procession. 'It's really, really busy here tonight - probably busier than we've seen it in some time because the weather is so good. 'There's a moon in the sky, it's actually not cold and it's not raining. 'We've been very lucky with the weather and I think we are going to be very lucky with the crowd and all the performances tonight on many stages.' Gathering: Revellers welcome in the New Year in York, which had been affected by flooding over the festive period Fun: Celebrations were underway in Newcastle city centre long before the bell struck midnight as the Spark drumming band entertained the crowds Colourful: The band changed colour during their performance, much to the delight of the large Newcastle crowd Early celebrations got under way in the city dubbed the home of Hogmanay last night with a torchlight parade. A record crowd estimated at 35,000, including 7,000 torch carriers, were led by the massed pipes and drums and the Up Helly Aa' Vikings from Shetland. The procession made its way through the city streets to the burning of the effigy of a Viking boat and a spectacular Son et Lumiere display on Calton Hill. Events will also take place on New Year's Day, including sled dog races at Holyrood Park and a triathlon which will see competitors swim 400 metres of the Royal Commonwealth Pool, cycle 11 miles around Arthur's Seat and then run 3.5 miles. The Loony Dook, the annual dip in the River Forth at South Queensferry, will also take place.