London poised for huge clean-up

Last year's parade drew American cheerleaders

London's New Year's revellers were still making their way home when the city's street cleaners began their massive clean-up job.

Westminster Council said it expected 300,000 people to descend on central London, creating 50 tonnes of rubbish.

All of which needed to be cleared away by 0500 GMT to allow roads to reopen in time for the New Year's Day parade.

The parade, with 4,000 participants, will start at 1200 in Parliament Square and will draw about 500,000 spectators.

The parade, complete with marching bands and floats from each of London's boroughs, will snake through Whitehall, Pall Mall, Waterloo Place, Regent Street and Piccadilly, ending at Berkeley Square.

Westminster Councillor Danny Chalkley said keeping the city's streets clean is a priority both before and after the New Year celebrations.

"We are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards on the streets of Westminster and draft in more than 170 extra cleaners to ensure the city is clean and tidy for the annual New Year's Day Parade."