HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR READERS
BIG Ben made a triumphant return last night as millions of New Year’s Eve revellers welcomed 2019 in spectacular fashion.
People up and down the country were wowed by dazzling fireworks displays as they said goodbye to 2018.
In central London, up to one million partygoers were treated to relatively mild temperatures of 9C (48F).
Many enjoyed a spectacular official fireworks display which was launched from the River Thames.
The special occasion was marked by the return of Big Ben, which had remained silent for the entire year during renovation works.
The last time the nation’s most famous bongs were in action – apart from chiming in the countdown to 2018 – was on August 21, 2017.
For the first time, a computer system activated Big Ben’s bells. The event was broadcast live on BBC One.
London’s was the largest annual firework display in Europe.
It included 12,000 fireworks, 2,000 lighting cues and 30 tons of equipment stationed on three barges floating on the Thames beside the London Eye.
Armed police were out in force in the capital and in other cities up and down the country for one of the biggest party nights of the year.
Emergency services mounted a massive operation to cope with one of their busiest nights as 999 operators were swamped with a dramatic increase in calls.
In central London yesterday, which will host a New Year’s Day parade today, road closures began at 2pm and barriers were put in place ahead of the ticketed firework display.
Beforehand, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lucy D’Orsi of Scotland Yard warned revellers to remain vigilant to ensure celebrations are not marred.
She said: “The safety of those attending is our top priority.
“Officers have been planning for several months for New Year’s Eve.
“Officers will be out and about to deter criminals and keep crowds safe but we
need you to look after yourself and those around you as well.
“If you see anything suspicious or that causes you concern, please tell a steward or police officer.
“You wouldn’t get into a stranger’s car, so please don’t use unlicensed and unregulated mini cabs.
“Most importantly, I hope you enjoy yourself and have a happy new year.”
Ian Watson, BT’s 999 manager, said: “Our busiest period of the year is from about 9pm on New Year’s Eve to 3am on New Year’s morning.
“We receive almost half a day’s calls in just six hours, with a peak of up to 9,000 calls per hour.”
Edinburgh and New York were among the cities which planned spectacular events to welcome in the New Year around the globe.
Samoa was the first country to welcome 2019 with a bang.
The South Pacific island has been the first to see in the New Year since 2011, when it moved from the eastern side of the international date line to the west.
It is just an hour’s flight to American Samoa, which had to wait 24 hours to say goodbye to 2018 because of the time difference.
Auckland in New Zealand, which is 13 hours ahead of the UK, soon followed with ear-splitting fireworks.
Partygoers were allowed to make as much noise as they liked between 6pm and 2am, after the council in Auckland promised not to attend any noise complaints during those hours.
Sydney, the scene of so many of the world’s great New Year celebrations in the past, did not disappoint.
Revellers, pictured above, refused to let torrential rain and thunderstorms turn the occasion into a damp squib.
Hundreds of thousands were left soaked after being deluged with a third of an inch of rain while dozens of lightning strikes lit up the skies.
In Taiwan, crowds were wowed by a man illuminated in green, who snaked his way down the 1,666ft skyscraper the Taipei 101 during the New Year countdown.
The landscape of Hong Kong was also lit up with a spectacular show.