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New year fireworks 'show London is open' New year fireworks 'show London is open'
(about 5 hours later)
The UK has marked the start of 2017 with a spectacular firework display in London. The UK has marked the start of 2017 - with a spectacular firework display in London among the highlights.
Tens of thousands gathered on the banks of the Thames to watch the display immediately after Big Ben sounded its midnight chimes. Tens of thousands of people gathered on the banks of the Thames to watch the display after Big Ben sounded its midnight chimes.
New year events across the UK went ahead under tight security, following lorry attacks in Berlin and Nice. New year events across the country went ahead under tight security, following lorry attacks in Berlin and Nice.
The music accompanying the London fireworks featured a recording of mayor Sadiq Khan saying: "London is open."The music accompanying the London fireworks featured a recording of mayor Sadiq Khan saying: "London is open."
Watch a 360-degree video of London's fireworksWatch a 360-degree video of London's fireworks
Celebrations also took place elsewhere in the UK, including the mass Hogmanay events in Edinburgh, but everywhere there was a more visible police presence with security fears to the fore following a series of terror attacks around Europe in the past year. There was increased security across UK cities after terror attacks in Europe in 2016, while news of a gunman who killed at least 39 revellers at a nightclub in the Turkish city of Istanbul emerged in the final hours of 2016.
News of an attack which killed at least 39 revellers at a nightclub in the Turkish city of Istanbul emerged in the final hours of 2016. In London, there were more armed officers, extra concrete barriers and roads closed off.
Remembering Bowie Greater Manchester Police increased crowd protection, British Transport Police extended armed patrols on the rail network and there were more armed officers on the London Underground.
Crowds will also gather for fireworks in Hull later on Sunday, to mark the start of the city's year of culture. In Edinburgh, Hogmanay organisers said the event was a "major success".
Organisers say the show will top London's New Year's Eve display. About 75,000 locals and tourists watched a firework display and performers including Paolo Nutini, The Charlatans, Fatherson and Be Charlotte.
In London, about 12,000 fireworks producing 50,000 projectiles lit up the city as part of a 12-minute display. One organiser, Al Thomson, said: "What a great way to start 2017, the 70th anniversary of Edinburgh becoming a world-leading festival city."
On New Year's Day, some brave revellers then swam in the River Forth in the Loony Dook Swim, a charity dip in the shadow of the Forth Rail Bridge.
In London, party-goers were on the Embankment to watch 12,000 fireworks producing 50,000 projectiles light up the city in a 12-minute display on Saturday night.
Music for the display also sampled famous artists who died in 2016, including David Bowie and George Michael.Music for the display also sampled famous artists who died in 2016, including David Bowie and George Michael.
Mr Khan said before the fireworks that their theme would be "hope and optimism going forward".Mr Khan said before the fireworks that their theme would be "hope and optimism going forward".
He added the capital was also sending a message to the world that "London is open", particularly post-Brexit, as part of its New Year's Eve celebrations.He added the capital was also sending a message to the world that "London is open", particularly post-Brexit, as part of its New Year's Eve celebrations.
He added: "We've always been a city open to talent, to people, to ideas and that is not going to change."He added: "We've always been a city open to talent, to people, to ideas and that is not going to change."
Singer Robbie Williams staged a live concert from the Central Hall Westminster in London, which was shown on BBC One as part of the new year celebrations.Singer Robbie Williams staged a live concert from the Central Hall Westminster in London, which was shown on BBC One as part of the new year celebrations.
After taking a brief break to allow TV viewers and his live audience to take in the Big Ben chimes, Williams returned to the stage to the strains of Auld Lang Syne. He sang his most famous hit Angels and his cover of Freedom, in tribute to George Michael, who was found dead on Christmas Day.
He then restarted his show with his most famous hit Angels, before belting out a version of the traditional New Year favourite New York, New York. But overnight ambulance response times were delayed after technical problems hit the capital's control room.
After that, he wound the clock back as he performed his debut single Freedom. Initially released in 1996 after Williams left Take That, it was a cover version of the 1990 hit written and released by George Michael who died on Christmas Day. Calls were recorded using pen and paper for nearly five hours on one of the busiest nights of the year.
As he started the song, he told the audience: "This is dedicated to the legendary George Michael." London 0 - Hull 1
Across the capital security had been stepped up, with more armed officers being deployed and concrete barriers in use. On Sunday, crowds were expected for evening fireworks in Hull, to mark the start of the city's year of culture.
There were also more places where vehicles are banned. Organisers say the show will top London's New Year's Eve display and city buildings will be lit with projections telling its history.
Greater Manchester Police also increased crowd protection in the wake of the Berlin attack. The year's events include the Royal Shakespeare Company taking up residence and Opera North turning the Humber Bridge into a giant musical instrument.
British Transport Police "extended" its regular armed patrols across the nation's rail network and there were armed officers on the London Underground. Sixty arts projects will work with local communities and Hull's famous son, Housemartins and Beautiful South frontman Paul Heaton, will play a homecoming gig at the KC Lightstream Stadium in June.
Metropolitan Police Det Supt Phil Langworthy said 3,000 officers would be patrolling the streets in London.
Around 75,000 people had been expected to attend Edinburgh's Hogmanay street party for its sold-out New Year's Eve celebration.
Police Scotland said there was a "very visible police presence" at the event.
Edinburgh was treated to a total of four separate firework displays to mark Hogmanay.
The Police Federation had made special arrangements to temporarily ban vehicle access in certain parts of London because of the use of lorries as terrorist weapons in this year's attacks in Nice and Berlin.
Two weeks ago a lorry, driven by Anis Amri, ploughed into a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people and injuring 48.
In Nice in July, 86 people died during Bastille Day celebrations when a lorry drove into crowds on the Promenade des Anglais.