Jools Holland got a rapturous reception from New Year revellers

By midnight Jools Holland had the hall rocking to its rafters.

Gerry Copeland from Belfast City Council said the crowd had an excellent night.

"We had a capacity crowd for both artists, to the point where Jools Holland actually came on for several encores.

"The audience just loved both artists and the party was in full swing and everybody seemed to be having a really really good time despite the bad weather we have been suffering over the last four or five days."

Meanwhile, part of BBC Radio 1's New Year's coverage was broadcast live from a massive club event at Belfast's new Odyssey Arena.

But in Londonderry, there was disappointment as the outdoor New Year's Eve celebrations were cancelled due to strong winds and heavy rain.

It had been hoped that Sunday's fireworks display would be one of the most spectacular ever seen in the city.

The organisers said they hoped the New Year events, funded by the Millennium Commission, could still take place early next month.

Meanwhile, television viewers at home could have been excused for thinking Mr Holland had a clone, as his as-live Hootenanny show was screened from midnight on BBC Two.

The show included performances from singers Craig David, Ray Davies, Joe Brown, Coldplay and Mick Hucknall and featured comedians Harry Enfield, Lenny Henry, John Sessions and Alistair McGowan.