Police have announced arrangements aimed at making the world's biggest Hogmanay street party as safe as possible.

Revellers are being warned that the gathering in Edinburgh, centred on Princes Street, is strictly an all-ticket affair and that no bottles or glasses will be permitted through the barriers.

Organisers have also apologised for having to turn down some requests for tickets because of the volume of applications.

'Good-natured party'

Lothian and Borders Assistant Chief Constable David Strang, said: "We want this year's Hogmanay to be remembered for all the right reasons, the quality of the entertainment, the atmosphere, and a good-natured party."

Mr Strang said 1,200 police officers and stewards would be manning the gates and barriers around the city centre.

Anyone trying to gain entrance to Edinburgh city centre without one of the 180,000 passes would be refused entry.

He said: "The very clear message is 'if you haven't got a pass make alternative arrangements'. I don't want people to be disappointed on the night."

Plastic containers

Glasses and bottles will not be allowed through the barriers and will have to be deposited in bottle banks.

Arrangements have been made with off licences to supply beer in cans and spirits in plastic containers.

There will also be six first aid posts around the city centre and the royal infirmary's accident and emergency unit will be on full alert.

Responding to criticism that not enough tickets had been given to local people, council spokesman David Hume stressed that 66% of the passes had been issued to people with Edinburgh addresses.

The Millennium Hogmany Festival, which is costing �2.7m, will last from 27 December to 2 January and is expected to bring in �40m to the regional economy.

The party gets under way with a torchlight procession from St Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile to Calton Hill.

There will also be street theatres, a march involving 1,000 pipers and a concert featuring Texas, the Mavericks, Del Amitri and the Bay City Rollers.

When the clock strikes midnight on Hogmanay, a spectacular four-minute fireworks display will light up the night sky.