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Bad weather hits New Year parties Bad weather hits New Year parties
(about 2 hours later)
Bad weather has forced the cancellation of some New Year celebrations, as revellers across the country prepare for a wet and windy start to 2007.Bad weather has forced the cancellation of some New Year celebrations, as revellers across the country prepare for a wet and windy start to 2007.
A firework event in Newcastle has been cancelled and one in Liverpool moved to 5 January, while in Belfast an outdoor concert has been scrapped.A firework event in Newcastle has been cancelled and one in Liverpool moved to 5 January, while in Belfast an outdoor concert has been scrapped.
Glasgow's Hogmanay party has also been cancelled but Edinburgh's street party will still go ahead, organisers say.Glasgow's Hogmanay party has also been cancelled but Edinburgh's street party will still go ahead, organisers say.
Gusts in excess of 70mph are predicted in northern parts of the UK.Gusts in excess of 70mph are predicted in northern parts of the UK.
It's not really a great story for anyone BBC Weather Centre Outdoor concert scrapped Glasgow Hogmanay cancelledIt's not really a great story for anyone BBC Weather Centre Outdoor concert scrapped Glasgow Hogmanay cancelled
But despite weather warnings many New Year celebrations are expected to go ahead.But despite weather warnings many New Year celebrations are expected to go ahead.
Meanwhile, a house in Aghalee in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, was damaged by what the Met Office believes was a tornado which struck on Saturday afternoon.Meanwhile, a house in Aghalee in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, was damaged by what the Met Office believes was a tornado which struck on Saturday afternoon.
Belfast City Council said the decision to cancel its outdoor Rock the Hall concert, due to be broadcast live on BBC Radio 2, had been taken entirely because of safety reasons.Belfast City Council said the decision to cancel its outdoor Rock the Hall concert, due to be broadcast live on BBC Radio 2, had been taken entirely because of safety reasons.
The Met Office had predicted gusts of up to 80mph in the city, a spokesman said.The Met Office had predicted gusts of up to 80mph in the city, a spokesman said.
The bands involved will now perform indoors without an audience.The bands involved will now perform indoors without an audience.
Pyrotechnic displayPyrotechnic display
Glasgow's cancelled event, in the city's George Square, had been expected to attract 25,000 revellers.Glasgow's cancelled event, in the city's George Square, had been expected to attract 25,000 revellers.
Kylie gears up for gigKylie gears up for gig
Also in Scotland, a party in Stirling has been cancelled.Also in Scotland, a party in Stirling has been cancelled.
Other planned New Year events still set to go ahead include a Hogmanay party in Edinburgh, which will be headlined by the Pet Shop Boys.Other planned New Year events still set to go ahead include a Hogmanay party in Edinburgh, which will be headlined by the Pet Shop Boys.
And in London there will be lighting and projections on the South Bank followed by a pyrotechnic and lighting display at midnight at the London Eye.And in London there will be lighting and projections on the South Bank followed by a pyrotechnic and lighting display at midnight at the London Eye.
Mayor Ken Livingstone said the planned events were expected to go ahead, adding there was a "small chance" the fireworks could be scaled back or cancelled if the wind unexpectedly increased "very significantly". A spokesman for London mayor Ken Livingstone said the planned events were expected to go ahead, adding there was a "small chance" the fireworks could be scaled back or cancelled if the wind unexpectedly increased "very significantly".
Birmingham and Newcastle are also holding mass celebrations, while DJ Fatboy Slim is to host a New Year's Day party on Brighton beach.Birmingham and Newcastle are also holding mass celebrations, while DJ Fatboy Slim is to host a New Year's Day party on Brighton beach.
Australian singer Kylie Minogue will launch the British leg of her Showgirl Homecoming tour at Wembley Arena in London on New Year's Eve, in what she has promised will be "the biggest party of all".Australian singer Kylie Minogue will launch the British leg of her Showgirl Homecoming tour at Wembley Arena in London on New Year's Eve, in what she has promised will be "the biggest party of all".
The concert begins at 2000 GMT, finishing as the clock strikes midnight.The concert begins at 2000 GMT, finishing as the clock strikes midnight.
Weekend accidentsWeekend accidents
According to the BBC Weather Centre, the UK will be lashed by wind and rain on Sunday night with gales being especially fierce in the north.According to the BBC Weather Centre, the UK will be lashed by wind and rain on Sunday night with gales being especially fierce in the north.
Gina Wiltshire, 14, escaped injury after lightning struck her houseGina Wiltshire, 14, escaped injury after lightning struck her house
A spokeswoman said: "Northern Ireland, central and southern Scotland and northern England will see gusts of wind in excess of 70mph.A spokeswoman said: "Northern Ireland, central and southern Scotland and northern England will see gusts of wind in excess of 70mph.
"The rain will become less of an issue as the night wears on because the wind will push it into the sea. The wind will become a major focus around 9pm, just as the celebrations will be getting going."The rain will become less of an issue as the night wears on because the wind will push it into the sea. The wind will become a major focus around 9pm, just as the celebrations will be getting going.
"Over the rest of the country there will be blustery winds and showers. It's not really a great story for anyone.""Over the rest of the country there will be blustery winds and showers. It's not really a great story for anyone."
Storms and high winds have also caused accidents across the country this weekend.Storms and high winds have also caused accidents across the country this weekend.
On Saturday, Rebecca Smith, 18, died when a 60ft tree toppled in high winds on to a caravan in Cheadle, Staffordshire.On Saturday, Rebecca Smith, 18, died when a 60ft tree toppled in high winds on to a caravan in Cheadle, Staffordshire.
And 14-year-old Gina Wiltshire escaped serious injury in the early hours of Sunday morning when lightning hit her house in Elberton, near Thornbury in South Gloucestershire, and conducted through the metal frame of her bed.And 14-year-old Gina Wiltshire escaped serious injury in the early hours of Sunday morning when lightning hit her house in Elberton, near Thornbury in South Gloucestershire, and conducted through the metal frame of her bed.


If you have any photos or video of wild and windy weather, or of your New Year's celebrations, you can send them to:If you have any photos or video of wild and windy weather, or of your New Year's celebrations, you can send them to:
yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 07725 100 100.yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 07725 100 100.