Revellers defy cold to see in 2010

In London, more than 200,000 people gathered on the banks of the River Thames to hear Big Ben strike midnight, while thousands joined Hogmanay celebrations in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

But one New Year's Eve party ended in tragedy when a 23-year-old man died in suspicious circumstances outside a house in Leyland, Lancashire.

Ten partygoers were arrested on suspicion of murder, Lancashire Police said.

And in London the shooting death of a man in his 30s was referred to detectives from the Met's Operation Trident - the unit which investigates gun crime in the black community.

Most revellers celebrated peacefully as fireworks erupted over the London Eye for seven and a half minutes and up to 80,000 people gathered at the huge outdoor celebration in Edinburgh, where temperatures fell to minus 6C (21.2F) by midnight.

The celebrations continued as swimmers - some wearing only bikinis - braved the chilly waters of Scotland's River Forth for the annual Loony Dook challenge.

And in England, a double shoulder replacement failed to stop one plucky pensioner enjoying her annual New Year's Day dip in icy sea water.

Joyce Peters, 78, declared herself "euphoric" after taking the plunge in estimated 3C (37.4F) temperatures at Marine Lake in Clevedon, North Somerset.

In London, more than half a million people lined the capital's streets for the New Year's Day parade. The event, now in its 24th year, saw a 15-deep crowd line the two-mile route from Piccadilly to Parliament Street.