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Crowds gather for London New Year's Day Parade Crowds watch London's New Year's Day Parade
(about 3 hours later)
Crowds of people have turned out to watch the New Year's Day Parade in central London which marks a momentous year in the capital. Thousands of people have turned out to watch London's New Year's Day Parade, marking a momentous year in the city.
The 2013 parade signals the end of a year that saw London host the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The 2013 parade signalled the end of a year that saw London host the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Themed "Hats Off To London, Celebration Capital of the World" it features 400 Games Makers from the Olympics. Crowds up to three deep in Whitehall, central London, watched the procession of performers, dignitaries and 400 Games Makers from the Olympics.
Organisers expected about 500,000 spectators to watch the event. A live broadcast was expected to attract an audience of 280 million.
Organisers predicted 500,000 spectators would watch the event, themed "Hats Off To London, Celebration Capital of the World", which they said had an estimated publicity value of £20m.
Cheerleading skills
The Games Makers are taking part alongside performers from the London 2012 opening and closing ceremonies.The Games Makers are taking part alongside performers from the London 2012 opening and closing ceremonies.
They join more than 6,000 representatives of London boroughs and guests from around the world. Enjoying applause from the crowds were Bolivian Dance Group Magical Bolivia, Flagz Mas Band, Albert & Friends Instant Circus, girl group Monroe and characters from Star Wars.
Cheerleaders from across the US, including Kentucky and Austin, Texas, also showed off their skills.
They were among more than 6,000 representatives of London boroughs and guests from around the world.
Bob Bone, the executive director of London's New Year's Day Parade, said of the Games Makers: "We wanted to let them take a curtain call on a world stage and show just how welcoming London is."Bob Bone, the executive director of London's New Year's Day Parade, said of the Games Makers: "We wanted to let them take a curtain call on a world stage and show just how welcoming London is."
The procession, which started at The Ritz in Piccadilly at 11:45 GMT, will head through Piccadilly Circus, down Lower Regent Street, to Pall Mall, Cockspur Street, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall and on to Parliament Square. The procession, which started at The Ritz in Piccadilly at 11:45 GMT, was to head through Piccadilly Circus, down Lower Regent Street, to Pall Mall, Cockspur Street, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall and on to Parliament Square.