English revellers enjoy New Year's Eve party

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English revellers enjoy New Year's Eve party

Millions of revellers headed out for an early New Year's Eve party, with their numbers boosted by Scots and Welsh people fleeing domestic Covid-19 restrictions.

The party goers were able to enjoy the hottest New Year's Eve since records began - with the temperature hitting more than 60f.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has cancelled the city's traditional firework display because of the threat of Covid-19 and the Trafalgar Square party has also been scrapped.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged people to get tested before meeting up for the New Year Eve festivities. However, many have decided to stay at home to avoid possible exposure to the Omicron variant.

He said: 'Everybody should enjoy New Year but in a cautious and sensible way - take a test, ventilation, think about others but, above all, get a booster.'

Those travelling by taxis or public transport should wear a mask, although they are not required in bars, restaurants or nightclubs.

Anyone in England going to a nightclub has been warned the will have to show their NHS Covid pass.

The PM, unlike the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales, decided against imposing additional restrictions in England, despite record-breaking Covid-19 infections fuelled by the Omicron variant.

Scotland's Deputy First Minister John Swinney criticised those planning to travel to England to celebrate Hogmanay, claiming it was the 'wrong course of action' and against the 'spirit' of the regulations.

In Scotland, events have one-metre social distancing and are limited to 100 people standing indoors, 200 people sitting indoors and 500 people outdoors, with one-metre physical distancing in place in all indoor hospitality and leisure settings. These restrictions include gatherings for Hogmanay celebrations.

Where alcohol is being served, table service is also required.

The Scottish Government has urged people to 'stay at home as much as possible', with any meet-ups to be limited to a maximum of three households.

Since December 14, people have been asked to reduce their social contact as much as possible by meeting in groups of no more than three households.

In Northern Ireland, nightclubs are closed this evening and dancing has been banned in hospitality venues.

For those venturing out to restaurants, table numbers must be limited to six people and diners must remain seated for table service.

In Wales, current rules say groups of no more than six are allowed to meet in pubs, cinemas and restaurants, while licensed premises can offer table service only.

In pubs and other licensed premises, face masks should be worn, with contact tracing details collected, and customers should observe two-metre social distancing rules.

Nightclubs have been closed since Boxing Day in Wales. A maximum of 30 people can attend indoor events and a maximum of 50 people can be present for outdoor events.

After being forced to close under last year's lockdown restrictions, many bars and clubs in Liverpool looked busy with revellers this evening.

Castle Street, Mathew Street and Concert Square were all full of life after another year punctuated by restrictions and uncertainty for businesses.

In Bristol, Jake Cotter, Tyler Calder and Morgan Drewson all caught an early evening train from Swansea to Temple Meads station.

Jake said: 'We're all heading to Bristol because of cause Wales is in lockdown.

'We all want to go out and celebrate New Year's Eve so we headed to the nearest place to use which is Bristol.'

Tyler added: 'Considering all the regulations inside Wales in the clubs and pubs, the having to sit down and the table service, you can't really have a good night out.

'The regulations are a bit ridiculous. I like watching football and if I could travel to Bristol on Saturday and watch the football but I can't go to a nightclub at home.

'If I stay at home I am effectively restricted to my own house.

'Given the fact that we are all 20, we are at that sort of party age, and it's boring. We've had nearly two years of lockdown and if we have the opportunity to go to a rave or somewhere in England, we are going to go for it.

'We've missed out on some much already. We want to go out and do normal things and meet people.'

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