UNITED KINGDOM

London's firework celebrations centre around the London Eye. At the start of 2005, fireworks were launched from the wheel itself for the first time. The timing of the new year is usually indicated by the chimes on Big Ben.

In Edinburgh the cannon is fired at Edinburgh Castle at the stroke of midnight and is followed by a large fireworks display.

Scotland celebrates New Year as Hogmanay. Other cities in Britain such asLiverpool, Glasgow, Leeds, Cardiff, Manchester, Aberdeen, Newcastle upon Tyne andBirmingham all have celebrations during the evening.

The celebrations have been televised from London over the last few years by the BBCin England & Wales. BBC Scotlandbroadcast the celebrations in Edinburgh to a Scottish audience, with the UK-wide BBC occasionally simulcasting. ITV covers the New Year celebrations worldwide, with STV additionally providing coverage in Scotland of events going on around the country