An enormous firework display in central London has kick-started Britain's New Year celebrations in style.
Thousands of people have lined the banks of the Thames to witness the incredible display of pyrotechnics and lights.
Up and down the country, millions of people have packed into town's and cities to celebrate 2013 following the astonishing success of 2012.
Thousands of revellers partied on the streets of Edinburgh - dubbed the home of Hogmanay - to welcome the new year.
Around 75,000 partygoers counted down the last 10 seconds of 2012 before joining in a mass rendition of Auld Lang Syne after the clock struck midnight in Edinburgh.
The world-famous event saw Scottish rock band Simple Minds headline the Concert in the Gardens, following performances from The View and Bwani Junction.
They were among 14 acts performing across five stages, including Mercury Prize nominees The Maccabees and Reverend and the Makers.
Countdown fireworks at 9pm, 10pm and 11pm set the sky alight, with the five-minute midnight display from the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle set to music for the first time.
The tracks played were from bands who have performed at the street party in the past as more than 2,000 firework cues were used, triggering over 17,000 shots from 45 locations.
Partygoers from across the world visited the city to join in the events, which also included a ceilidh with 3,000 people dancing as the bells chimed.
Tickets for the celebrations were bought by those in more than 60 countries, including Australia, Brazil, Japan, Turkey and the USA.
Pete Irvine, artistic director of Edinburgh's Hogmanay, said: 'I think it's going really well this year.
'Last night we had our opening event with a record crowd at the torchlight procession.
'It's really, really busy here tonight - probably busier than we've seen it in some time because the weather is so good.
'There's a moon in the sky, it's actually not cold and it's not raining.
'We've been very lucky with the weather and I think we are going to be very lucky with the crowd and all the performances tonight on many stages.'
Early celebrations got under way in the city dubbed the home of Hogmanay last night with a torchlight parade.
A record crowd estimated at 35,000, including 7,000 torch carriers, were led by the massed pipes and drums and the Up Helly Aa' Vikings from Shetland. The procession made its way through the city streets to the burning of the effigy of a Viking boat and a spectacular Son et Lumiere display on Calton Hill.
Events will also take place on New Year's Day, including sled dog races at Holyrood Park and a triathlon which will see competitors swim 400 metres of the Royal Commonwealth Pool, cycle 11 miles around Arthur's Seat and then run 3.5 miles.
The Loony Dook, the annual dip in the River Forth at South Queensferry, will also take place.
source: dailymail
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