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Thousands mark the start of 2010 Thousands mark the start of 2010
(40 minutes later)
Hundreds of thousands of revellers around the UK have gathered in temperatures close to freezing to see in the new year. Hundreds of thousands of revellers have gathered in temperatures close to freezing to see in the new year in towns and cities across the UK.
In London, fireworks erupted at the London Eye along the Thames. In London, tens of thousands of people gathered along the banks of the Thames to hear Big Ben strike midnight.
Firework displays were also held in Cardiff but there were no civic events in Belfast. Fireworks erupted at the London Eye in an eight-minute display and there were also fireworks in Cardiff.
There were fireworks in Glasgow with 80,000 people expected in Edinburgh, but celebrations were cancelled in Inverness because of severe weather. Thousands joined Hogmanay celebrations in Glasgow and Edinburgh, where temperatures fell as low as -6C (21F).
In London, pyrotechnics illuminated the sky for eight minutes above the London Eye on the landmark's 10th anniversary. There were no civic events in Belfast.
The £313,000 display was cut by two minutes this year, helping organisers save a total of £70,000. Meanwhile, celebrations were cancelled in Inverness because of severe weather.
Hogmanay parties The London Eye's £313,000 firework display was cut by two minutes this year, helping organisers save a total of £70,000.
In Edinburgh, partygoers gathered in the city centre long before the bells to find good vantage points for the music stages and fireworks display. It was a clear night in central London, where partygoers enjoyed a comparatively balmy 3C.
'Exciting city'
In Edinburgh, 80,000 partygoers gathered in the city centre long before midnight to find good vantage points for the music stages and fireworks display.
In Glasgow 10,000 revellers packed into George Square for the city's sell-out Hogmanay party, headlined by Deacon Blue.In Glasgow 10,000 revellers packed into George Square for the city's sell-out Hogmanay party, headlined by Deacon Blue.
Thousands were expected in Stonehaven on the east coast of Scotland for the annual fireballs festival, which has been held for about 150 years.Thousands were expected in Stonehaven on the east coast of Scotland for the annual fireballs festival, which has been held for about 150 years.
Temperatures were expected to be -2C (28F) in Aberdeen, -4C (25F) in Glasgow, -1C (30F) in Birmingham, 1C (34F) in London, 0C (32F) in Cardiff and -1C (30F) in Belfast.
Mayor Boris Johnson said London's display would show the world that "the most exciting city on Earth" is looking forward to the future with "optimism and energy".Mayor Boris Johnson said London's display would show the world that "the most exciting city on Earth" is looking forward to the future with "optimism and energy".
Mr Johnson did not attend the display and saw in the new year with his family, his spokeswoman said, who added that deputy mayor Richard Barnes would be present at the show.Mr Johnson did not attend the display and saw in the new year with his family, his spokeswoman said, who added that deputy mayor Richard Barnes would be present at the show.
It is also expected to be a cold day for London's 24th annual parade, which starts at 1200 GMT on New Year's Day from Berkeley Street.
The event in Inverness was cancelled as road and pavement conditions were considered too treacherous.The event in Inverness was cancelled as road and pavement conditions were considered too treacherous.
Ch Insp Andrew MacLean, of the Northern Constabulary, said: "For reasons of public safety, we made a recommendation to the organisers and they have decided to cancel the Hogmanay party tonight."Ch Insp Andrew MacLean, of the Northern Constabulary, said: "For reasons of public safety, we made a recommendation to the organisers and they have decided to cancel the Hogmanay party tonight."
Advertisement It is expected to be a cold day for London's 24th annual parade later, which starts at 1200 GMT from Berkeley Street.
The BBC's Daniel Boettcher visits London fireworks control centre