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Thousands attend London's Parade Thousands attend London's Parade
(about 1 hour later)
More than half a million people lined the streets of central London for the New Year's Day Parade.More than half a million people lined the streets of central London for the New Year's Day Parade.
The parade, now in its 24th year, covered a two-mile route, starting at Piccadilly at midday and ending in Parliament Street at about 1500 GMT. The parade, now in its 24th year, covered a two-mile route, starting at Piccadilly at midday and ending in Parliament Street at 1500 GMT.
This year performers marched the route in reverse to give 100 million US TV watchers the best views of London.This year performers marched the route in reverse to give 100 million US TV watchers the best views of London.
The show featured 8,500 performers from 20 countries and 22 of London's boroughs. The show, which drew the "biggest crowd ever", featured 8,500 performers from 20 countries and 22 London boroughs.
Roads closed 'Biggest crowd ever'
Organisers said they reversed the route to appease US broadcasters who wanted their audience to see sights such as Big Ben and Trafalgar Square. Organisers said they reversed the route for US broadcasters who wanted their audience to see sights such as Big Ben and Trafalgar Square.
The parade has been popular in the US and nearly 4,000 Americans took part in 24 different marching bands last year. The parade has long been popular in the US and nearly 4,000 Americans took part in 24 different marching bands last year.
The event was also broadcast by 550 television stations around the world - including in China and Australia - targeting a global audience of 240 million people. The event was broadcast live by about 550 television stations around the world - including in China and Australia - targeting a global audience of 240 million people.
Places along the route, including Piccadilly Circus, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall, were remaining closed until 1700 GMT. Dan Kirkby, the communications director for the parade, said it was "vital" for tourism.
Lots of pomp, lots of circumstance but above all its great fun Dan Kirkby, London Parade spokesman People came dressed for the parade
The Saitama Sakae Baton Team from Japan and American marching bands were the highlights of the 2010 parade. He said: "We're delighted with the crowd, it's the biggest we've ever had.
Dan Kirkby, the communications director for the parade, said: "It is very ceremonial. Lots of pomp, lots of circumstance but above all its great fun. "These are great pictures of iconic London and we're hoping to get the cash registers ringing for the new year."
"We've set a theme this year of let us entertain you, so within that they (London boroughs) are going to provide something that reflects their own community their own society and something within the borough that's important to them." The Saitama Sakae Baton Team from Japan, Parisian cheerleaders and American marching bands were the highlights of the 2010 parade.
The parade also included a recorded welcome to the crowds from London's town crier Peter Moore, who recorded the greeting before his death earlier this month.The parade also included a recorded welcome to the crowds from London's town crier Peter Moore, who recorded the greeting before his death earlier this month.
Mr Moore, who had been the town crier for 31 years, had appeared in every New Year's Day parade since the first in 1987.Mr Moore, who had been the town crier for 31 years, had appeared in every New Year's Day parade since the first in 1987.