Parade lit up by girls from Hawaii

It's a long way from the azure skies of Hawaii to the grey of London on New Year's Day, but the Moanalua Marching Band are more than happy to be here.

They've flown in to help 4,000 other performers usher in 1 January and kick-start the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations in style.

The girls will be joined by giant cartoon character balloons the height of a building, some of the world's finest marching bands and a thousand fellow American cheerleaders along the streets of the City and the West End, watched by thousands.

The New Year's Day Parade, celebrating its 16th birthday this year, will be the first event of 2002 commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's 50 years on the throne. More than 100 street entertainers, including jugglers, clowns, stilt-walkers and acrobats will perform and Her Majesty will be represented at the event by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Greater London, Roger Bramble, who will ride to Parliament Square to perform the starting ceremony.

Elden Seta, Moanalua band leader, said they were determined to bring a message of hope for 2002. The band has made headlines in Hawaii for flying amid fears of further terrorist attacks.

Mr Seta said: "I think it's probably safer to fly than before 11 September. It's good for Hawaii and it's good for London for us to come and encourage people to look to the future. It is very cold though, it's 82C in Hawaii at the moment, but we have brought plenty of warm clothes."

Wearing traditional dress and garlands of exotic flowers, the Hawaiian dancers brought smiles to the faces of passing Londoners when they rehearsed at Marble Arch. Taryn Nyuha, 16, said she leapt at the chance of coming to London. "It's a great experience to come here and to be part of such a huge parade," she said.

The event has grown from rather humble beginnings in 1987, when it was known as the Mayor of Westminster's Big Parade and featured just a few hundred young people from the US and UK.

Bob Bone, the parade's executive director, said: "We all need to celebrate the turn of the year. I think there will be an extra special atmosphere as many might be pleased to see the back of 2001, and 2002 marks the 50th anniversary of Her Majesty The Queen's coronation."

The parade will also raise thousands for charity. More than 20 London boroughs are competing in the Let's Help London Challenge, with the most imaginative displays sharing £20,000 for the winning boroughs' chosen good causes. Participating boroughs will also have teams collecting for charity.

The parade begins at noon on the corner of Parliament Square and Whitehall and proceeds to Trafalgar Square, Cockspur Street, Lower Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus and Berkeley Street.

Revellers are advised to arrive early along the 2.2 mile route to get a good view. More details about the parade and information about public transport can be found on website www.londonparade.co.uk.