500,000 line the streets for a vintage parade

CHEERLEADERS, marching bands and vintage cars filled the streets of London to welcome the start of 2009.

Crowds lined the 2.2 mile route to enjoy the 23rd New Year's Day Parade.

Organisers estimate 500,000 watched the 10,000 performers, including musicians, bellringers, clowns and 1,000 US cheerleaders.

In addition, 24 boroughs, including host City of Westminster, took part in the parade, which began at noon in Parliament Square and moved through Whitehall, Trafalgar Square, Pall Mall and Regent Street to Piccadilly.

Bob Bone, the event's executive director, said: "It's a great shop window to London for millions of people." At one point onlookers saw a crash involving an antique fire engine and a Sixties Routemaster, but no one was injured. Fifty Minis, one from each year of production, also paraded to mark the car's golden anniversary.