Happy New Year! Britain welcomes in 2024 in style in extravagant celebrations across the UK
Britons have welcomed the new year as more than 100,000 people gather in London to watch the New Year's Eve firework display
REUTERS
Britons have welcomed the new year with celebrations across the UK as more than 100,000 people gather in London to watch the New Year's Eve firework display.
Millions of people have been taking part in celebrations across the globe.
Crowds began to gather in London yesterday in the hope of getting a good view of the huge firework extravaganza near Big Ben.
Cambridgeshire-based Titanium Fireworks - the company that designs the London New Year's Eve midnight display - said it took nearly six months to plan the display, then a further month to design and create it.
London's firework display lasted more than 10 minutes
PA
The display marked the 75th anniversary of the NHS, 10 years since the legalisation of gay marriage, and the King's Coronation
PA
This year's display marked the 75th anniversary of the NHS, 10 years since the legalisation of gay marriage, and the King's Coronation.
The display in the capital featured more than 12,000 fireworks.
Celebrations have been in full force despite weather experts warning Britons to brace for a damp and windy start to 2024.
A yellow weather warning remained in place on New Year's Eve as severe gales and heavy showers battered the UK.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The King's Coronation was celebrated in London's display
PA
more than six months of planning went into the London display
REUTERS
Some celebrations were cancelled this year amid raging wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
New Year's gatherings were called off in Pakistan as a national mark of solidarity with Palestinians.
While celebrations were toned down in Moscow, with the traditional fireworks and concert on Red Square cancelled.
Looking back on the year, Pope Francis recalled 2023 as a year marked by war during a traditional Sunday blessing.
The celebrations took place across the whole country
PA
Fireworks explode over Edinburgh Castle during the street party for Hogmanay New Year celebrations in Edinburgh
PA
He offered prayers for "the tormented Ukrainian people and the Palestinian and Israeli populations, the Sudanese people and many others."
The pontiff added: "At the end of the year, we will have the courage to ask ourselves how many human lives have been shattered by armed conflict, how many dead and how much destruction, how much suffering, how much poverty.
"Whoever has interest in these conflicts, listen to the voice of conscience."
The last place to leave 2023 will be Baker Island in the central Pacific Ocean - by which point it will already be 2 January in Kiribati.