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/uk/6220741.stm

The article has changed 28 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Bad weather hits New Year parties Bad weather hits New Year parties
(about 1 hour 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.
Northern parts of the UK are facing the worst of the weather, with gusts in excess of 70mph predicted. Glasgow's Hogmanay party has also been cancelled but Edinburgh's street party will still go ahead, organisers say.
But despite weather warnings, many UK celebrations are expected to go ahead.But despite weather warnings, many UK celebrations are expected to go ahead.
Northern parts of the UK are facing the worst of the weather, with gusts in excess of 70mph predicted.
Meanwhile, a house in Aghalee in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, was damaged by what the Met Office believes was a tornado.
Indoor performance
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 bands involved will now perform indoors without an audience.The bands involved will now perform indoors without an audience.
It's not really a great story for anyone BBC Weather Centre Outdoor concert scrapped It's not really a great story for anyone BBC Weather Centre Outdoor concert scrapped
Glasgow's cancelled event, in the city's George Square, had been expected to attract 25,000 revellers.
Gusts of more than 70mph were detected in the area with barriers being blown over.
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.
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.
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."
Storm damage Gale force winds
Events Manager at Belfast City Council, Gerry Copeland, told the BBC the cancellation was "hugely disappointing".
He said: "Our most recent forecast from the Met Office [is] showing there are going to be gusts possibly 70 to 80 miles an hour.
"There's no temporary structure in any part of the world that would actually be able to withstand those kinds of gusts."
Director of development for Edinburgh City Council, Andrew Holmes, said there were no plans to cancel any planned Hogmanay events in the city despite the bad weather.Director of development for Edinburgh City Council, Andrew Holmes, said there were no plans to cancel any planned Hogmanay events in the city despite the bad weather.
"We are receiving hourly updates from the Met Office regarding weather conditions," he said."We are receiving hourly updates from the Met Office regarding weather conditions," he said.
He added that public safety was of "primary concern".He added that public safety was of "primary concern".
"Infrastructure has been improved and is designed to cope with the usual extremes of Scottish weather.""Infrastructure has been improved and is designed to cope with the usual extremes of Scottish weather."
Storms and high winds have also caused accidents across the country.Storms and high winds have also caused accidents across the country.
On Saturday an 18-year-old woman died when a 60ft tree toppled in high winds on to a caravan in Cheadle, Staffordshire.On Saturday an 18-year-old woman died when a 60ft tree toppled in high winds on to a caravan in Cheadle, Staffordshire.
In Suffolk, part of the roof was blown off the newly-opened Days Inn in Haverhill during a storm on Saturday night.In Suffolk, part of the roof was blown off the newly-opened Days Inn in Haverhill during a storm on Saturday night.
And a 15-year-old girl 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 a 15-year-old girl 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.
Nationwide partyingNationwide partying
Elsewhere, more than 25,000 revellers expected to see in the new year in Glasgow.Elsewhere, more than 25,000 revellers expected to see in the new year in Glasgow.
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.
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.