City goes ahead with new year fun

The winter wonderland was open for revellers

New Year's Eve celebrations in Cardiff city centre went ahead, despite warnings of possible bad weather.

Cardiff council confirmed late on Sunday that its traditional Calennig celebrations with seventies band The Real Thing were still happening.

More than 30,000 people partied the night away.

But high winds and torrential rain put a dampener on New Year celebrations for thousands of people in Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England.

One hundred thousand people had been expected in Edinburgh alone to enjoy Hogmanay, but a concert and fireworks display was cancelled because of concerns for the safety of performers and onlookers.

Free buses

But Cardiff City Council's Calennig celebrations were a hit once again despite predictions of the event having to be cancelled due to bad weather.

Thousands thronged the streets of the civic centre to join in the celebrations and usher in 2007.

Seventies chart-toppers The Real Thing headlined the main live music stage outside City Hall entertaining the crowds with their1976 No 1 hit You to Me are Everything.

Other attractions included the Winter Wonderland open-air ice rink for skaters.

Free buses for revellers ran on many routes from 2000 GMT until 0230 GMT.

Councillor Nigel Howells, executive member for culture, leisure and sport, said: "This year's Calennig has been another fantastic occasion with free family entertainment in Cardiff and a great way for the city to welcome in 2007."

All the fun of the fair continues around the civic centre on New Year's Day, plus skating and music throughout the day at the Winter Wonderland.