Thousands of partygoers have hit the town this evening to see in the bells despite weather alerts and galeforce gusts.
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Boozy brits haven’t let stormy conditions and Met Office yellow weather warnings put a dampener on festivities.
In Newcastle, reveller Ellie-Mae, hit the town in tight shorts and a short-sleeved top.
The 20-year-old said: “We don’t care about the weather. You can’t feel the cold once you’ve had a drink anyway.
“It was bad last year, and it didn’t bother us. There’s no way I would wear a coat.
“We’re just excited to celebrate the New Year.”
Meanwhile, partygoer Savananah, 26, said: “We won’t be letting the weather stop us having fun – we never would.
“I didn’t even realise it was going to be this bad – but this is New Year’s Eve. Nothing is going to stand in our way.”
Pal Lauren, 33, added: “We’re used to it up north.”
A group of girls dressed to the nines, Naomi, Grace, Brooke and Emma, even made the trip down from Carlisle to welcome in 2024.
Grace said: “We’ve got make-up and a brush on us so we are prepared.
“We’ll probably be walking around with our hands over our heads later to protect our hair.
“But we just want to have fun and are excited for New Year.
“We would never let the rain spoil our night.”
Nicole donned a blue shirt dress and braved the rain with no coat – but didn’t mind the chilly temperatures.
She added: “I am cold but I don’t care. If it gets really bad I will just run into a pub.”
In Edinburgh, Greg Mulholland – Campaign Director for the Campaign for Pubs, said: “Millions of pints will be sunk to ring in the New Year.
“It’s a big night for pubs in villages, towns and cities across the country and all of them will be throwing their doors open whatever the weather.
“It’s great to see so many people braving the elements to get into the boozer.
“Let’s hope this proves to be a turning point for 2024.”
Meanwhile Al Thomson, who was in charge of Edinburgh’s four-day event, said: “We’re in for one hell of a party.”
“There’s no better way to start the New Year.”
In Leeds glam partygoers were snapped bar hoping in heels and sparkling outfits.
Girls were in high spirits as they celebrated with friends and huddled under umbrellas.
Some single lads were seen getting cheeky kisses while hundreds of couples also hit the town to mark the end of 2023.
Others in Newcastle were spotted running with jackets and bags over their heads to shelter from rain lashing the city centre.
In London thousands have queued up early despite the weather to view the iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks.
It’s expected 100,000 people will line the streets of the capital to watch the night sky behind Big Ben light up.
It comes as many displays have sadly been dashed as a result of the fierce galeforce winds tonight.
Winds of up to 75mph have battered the south of the county and seen Plymouth‘s Winter Wonderland event, as well as a Devon town’s fireworks display axed.
Organisers of the Plymouth event said: “As much as we are very disappointed and frustrated, your safety comes first, as well as ours, and we can’t possibly take the risk.”
In Devon, Barnstaple Town Centre Management sadly confirmed it scrapped the fireworks display due to stormy weather.
They said: “Unfortunately due to the weather conditions and the gusting winds we will be unable to do the fireworks this evening due to safety.
“We know this is disappointing, but safety is always the priority and we unfortunately can’t control the weather.”
The Met office has issued yellow weather warnings across the UK tonight.
An alert covering Manchester for heavy rain has been in place since 6pm this evening, which continues until 6am.
Forecasters predict exceptionally wet weather in Blackpool, Blackburn, Bolton, and all the way up to Lancaster.
Meanwhile the entire south of England and parts of Wales have been issued warning for wind until midnight.
Meteorologists urged Brits to be careful as roads, rail, air and ferry transport are likely to be impacted, while coastlines could become dangerous with massive swells.
They’ve also warned high-sided vehicles take care on the roads, while electricity could be cut across the UK.
And, the Tornado Storm and Research Organisation also placed a tornado warning over the southern parts of the UK and Ireland yesterday.
A mini tornado was snapped in Devon last night – just hours after the watch was put in place.
In addition, The Environment Agency issued over 200 flood warnings and alerts ahead of the big countdown.
The Rivers Ouse in York, the Avon in Bristol, the Wye and Severn were all at risk of bursting their banks, they said.
Nevertheless two million revellers are still expected to fill the country’s 40,000 bars this evening.
Of that, more than 100,000 people are likely to swarm central London for the fireworks – with tens of thousands flocking to Edinburgh‘s Hogmanay.
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