Spectacular parade to herald New Year
It will be a spectacular start to the New Year. London's New Year's Day Parade kicks off at noon tomorrow and more than 400,000 people are expected to line the 2.2-mile route.
For those who manage to avoid a hangover and turn out for it, the extravaganza promises a vibrant welcome to 2004.
The free parade, now in its 18th year, starts from Parliament Square as Big Ben strikes midday and proceeds along Whitehall, Pall Mall, Lower Regent Street and Piccadilly, finishing at 2.45pm.
More than 7,000 musicians, dancers, acrobats, clowns and cheerleaders will take part in the American-style parade.
Wherever spectators stand on the route, the procession will take one hour and 50 minutes to make its way past.
A global TV audience of 200 million will see the famous streets filled with performers from Europe, Africa, Asia and the US, along with many entertainers from across London.
Organisers are advising people to turn up early to take their vantage point along the route.
Bob Bone, executive director of the parade, said: "London loves this event and the word is spreading fast around the world.
"The parade will be a truly multi-national, multicultural event."
A Saturday Tube service will be running and the closest stations to the route are: Westminster, Piccadilly Circus, Charing Cross, Embankment, St James's Park and Green Park.
Buses will be operating but roads in and around the route will be closed from 8am, and Piccadilly will be closed from 11am. The congestion charge will not be in force.
