In pictures: UK celebrates New Year

Millions of people across the UK have celebrated the coming of the New Year. The start of 2003 was ushered in with fireworks and street parties but no official event was organised in London.

Crowds of thousands watched in awe as ten tonnes of fireworks were set off from Edinburgh Castle

The organised Hogmanay celebrations were a sell-out with 100,000 tickets sold

Bands played, crowds cheered as the celebrations got into full swing

Police had advised revellers to stay away from central London amid fears of overcrowding

It was a time for celebration across the country

As many as 20,000 people gathered in London's Parliament Square in time to hear Big Ben chime

A damp Dublin welcomes in the New Year, with a ringing of bells at Christchurch Cathedral

Fireworks set the night sky ablaze in Newcastle