This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/7806738.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
England welcomes in the New Year England welcomes in the New Year
(about 3 hours later)
Thousands of revellers have braved cold weather to see in the New Year at events across England. Thousands of revellers braved the cold weather to see in the New Year at events across England.
The largest celebrations have been taking place in London, where crowds lined the banks of the Thames for the city's annual fireworks display. The largest celebrations took place in London, where crowds lined the banks of the Thames for the city's annual fireworks display.
Firework displays also started 2009 in Manchester, the city's first major firework event since the millennium, and in Birmingham. Firework displays also started 2009 in Birmingham and Manchester, the city's first major firework event since the millennium.
Temperatures fell below freezing in several parts of England.Temperatures fell below freezing in several parts of England.
Up to half a million people were thought to be at the firework display in central London, with the night one of the busiest of the year for the Metropolitan Police. Up to half a million people were thought to have been at the firework display in central London, with the night one of the busiest of the year for the Metropolitan Police.
Free TubesFree Tubes
Scotland Yard said it had made 78 arrests during the festivities in the capital, with about 3,300 officers involved in the Met's policing of the night. Scotland Yard said it had made 78 arrests during the festivities in the capital, with about 3,300 officers involved in policing the night.
Supt Brian Pearce said the majority of revellers had been well behaved.Supt Brian Pearce said the majority of revellers had been well behaved.
He said: "The nature of New Year's Eve in central London has changed. What used to be a relatively low-key spontaneous night is now a world-class event that attracts thousands and thousands of people. "The nature of New Year's Eve in central London has changed. What used to be a relatively low-key spontaneous night is now a world-class event that attracts thousands and thousands of people.
"The atmosphere of the event meant that in the main the crowds were good humoured and there were no major issues reported to police.""The atmosphere of the event meant that in the main the crowds were good humoured and there were no major issues reported to police."
Viewing areas for the firework display near the London Eye started to fill up at about 1800 GMT and were closed by 2300 GMT as they were full.Many people crowded into Whitehall to watch the firework display Viewing areas for the firework display near the London Eye started to fill up at about 1800 GMT and were closed by 2300 GMT because they were full.Many people crowded into Whitehall to watch the firework display
Tubes ran until 0430 GMT and travel home was free but Supt Pearce said there could be a repeat of scenes last year when revellers had to queue for up to three hours to get on to Tube trains home. Tubes ran until 0430 GMT in an effort to get revellers home.
Extra police were deployed in popular gathering spots, including Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square, where police were on raised viewing platforms to oversee festivities.Extra police were deployed in popular gathering spots, including Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square, where police were on raised viewing platforms to oversee festivities.
Of the 78 arrests, 39 were for public order offences, 18 for assault, 10 for being drunk and disorderly, and others for carrying offensive weapons, robbery, obstructing police, theft, drug possession and sex offences.Of the 78 arrests, 39 were for public order offences, 18 for assault, 10 for being drunk and disorderly, and others for carrying offensive weapons, robbery, obstructing police, theft, drug possession and sex offences.
A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "It has been quieter than expected in terms of incidents.A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "It has been quieter than expected in terms of incidents.
"Between midnight and 1am we took 292 calls, compared with 377 in the first hour of New Year's Day last year.""Between midnight and 1am we took 292 calls, compared with 377 in the first hour of New Year's Day last year."
The 10-minute fireworks display began after midnight was sounded by the chimes of Big Ben.The 10-minute fireworks display began after midnight was sounded by the chimes of Big Ben.
Earlier, the crowds were played a series of video messages from celebrities including London mayor Boris Johnson, actors Michael Caine and Helen Mirren, comedian Ricky Gervais and cartoon characters Homer and Marge Simpson. Earlier, the crowds were treated to a series of video messages from celebrities including actors Michael Caine and Helen Mirren, comedian Ricky Gervais, cartoon characters Homer and Marge Simpson, and one from the Mayor London, Boris Johnson.
Manchester's display was also set to last for 10 minutes, with the fireworks set off from the top of the Arndale Centre and organisers saying they would be best viewed from Exchange Square. Manchester's firework display was set off from the top of the Arndale Centre.
In Birmingham, the firework celebrations were centred around Centenary Square.In Birmingham, the firework celebrations were centred around Centenary Square.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
London welcomes 2009 with a spectacular fireworks show over the River Thames.London welcomes 2009 with a spectacular fireworks show over the River Thames.