The sound of Big Ben chiming at midnight ushered in the new year for thousands of people who gathered in central London.

The centrepiece of the London celebrations was a dazzling midnight fireworks display around the London Eye.

A fireworks display over Edinburgh Castle was one of the highlights of the city's four-day Hogmanay celebrations.

Police said about 200,000 people thronged the centre of London for the occasion - 50,000 more than last year.

Many in London described the party as "fantastic".

Thousands of people nationwide enjoyed a few drinks as part of their celebrations.

In London, celebrations began with images of sporting and other heroes projected onto buildings.

A couple kissing were among those who took to the streets of London, despite a Tube strike which failed to create the havoc that had been widely expected.