Midnight fireworks mark New Year

The display will be broadcast on television

London's skies are set to explode with a dramatic fireworks display as Big Ben strikes midnight, heralding in 2006.

Pyrotechnics company Jack Morton Worldwide, which staged ceremonies at the Athens 2004 Olympics, will put on the spectacle on the South Bank.

And beforehand, crowds can revel in the city's successes as images of London's heroes are projected onto the riverside Shell building.

Among them will be cricketer Andrew Flintoff and the late DJ John Peel.

While plans for many friends and families may be hit by the impending Tube strike set to start at noon, police are still expecting large crowds to gather in Trafalgar, Parliament and Leicester squares and on Victoria Embankment.

Sex attacks

About 2,600 officers will be deployed in central London and a team of detectives will be following up any crimes that take place on the night.

Ch Supt Helen Ball said: "We are re-using some successful crime fighting tactics such as raised podiums in Leicester Square and extensive CCTV networks as part of our clampdown on those who use the crowded streets as a cover to commit crime."

She advised people not to drink too heavily, adding that several arrests were made last year for sexual assault.

Officers from the Marine Support Unit will also be on patrol and are warning revellers not to stand on the shore as they will be putting themselves at risk. Low tide is at 2020 GMT.

Some roads in central London are expected to close from 2000 GMT and those heading in are advised to leave their cars at home.

The 10-minute midnight fireworks display centres around the London Eye and will be broadcast on television.

Other faces to be projected on the Thames-side building include first world war veteran Henry Allingham, Sebastian Coe, Ellen MacArthur, Jamie Oliver and Kelly Holmes.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone said: "Last year's fireworks won acclaim as amongst the best in the world.

"We are planning a great show again this year, which will be big enough, and loud enough, to be seen from high ground, balconies and gardens all over the capital - and failing that on the BBC at midnight."

Last year, more than 150,000 people visited central London to watch a £1m fireworks display, despite celebrations being toned down in the aftermath of the Asian tsunami.