London prepares for midnight fireworks

London is gearing up for the biggest New Year's Eve party since Millennium night.

Space on the South Bank at the Eye is limited to 60,000 and revellers are being encouraged to watch the fireworks on television instead.

However up to 500,000 people are expected to attend events in central London and police are warning visitors without a ticket to one of them to avoid the area.

Restaurants and bars are reporting strong ticket sales for parties, some until 4am. The Tube is running free for 24 hours, although some stations will be closed.

Trafalgar Square will be open - it was closed for refurbishment last year - but there will be no countdown to midnight and the fountains will be cordoned off. No alcohol will be allowed.

Crowds of 100,000 are expected in Trafalgar, Parliament and Leicester squares. Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe said: " Traditionally, many people gather in central London to see in the New Year, despite there being no attractions and no shelter.

"This year the Mayor has arranged a brief firework display to mark midnight. This will be televised and you will be able to see it on a TV wherever you are. I would advise anyone who is planning to come into central London on 31 December to think carefully beforehand."

A Mayor's spokeswoman said: "People are welcome but the display is three minutes long and it will be very busy, so they might be better watching on TV at home or in pubs."

The weather is expected to be wet and windy. Temperatures are expected to be 3C to 5C.

A New Year parade will begin at noon on Thursday from Parliament Square with 10,000 musicians, dancers, acrobats, clowns, cheerleaders and floats. It will proceed along Whitehall, Pall Mall, Lower Regent Street and Piccadilly and finish in Berkeley Square at 2.45pm.

There is disappointment for thousands hoping to go to the grand finale of the Winter Wonderland-event at the Millennium-Dome after its New Year's Eve party was cancelled due to concerns about the Tube strike, which has since been called off.

Criticism was rife after London's failure to stage official New Year's Eve celebrations in 2001 and 2002, while other major capitals had huge parties. Tourism chiefs have spent £4 million promoting London as a New Year's Eve destination - even in Germany and France.