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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4136705.stm
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Revellers fall silent for victims
Hundreds of thousands are partying in Edinburgh
New Year revellers fell silent to remember the 124,000 people killed in the Asian tsunami disaster.
Celebrations in London were toned down because of the tragedy, and there was a two minutes' silence just before Big Ben chimed at midnight.
A 10 minute lighting display that had been scheduled to go ahead in the run up to midnight was cancelled.
In Edinburgh, partygoers observed a one-minute silence at 2245 GMT. Glasgow fell silent at 2215 GMT.
The £1m London event, organised by Mayor Ken Livingstone and paid for by the Greater London Authority, was expected to attract 150,000 people to the banks of the River Thames.
'Hearts go out'
The disaster donation line number was flashed across big screens throughout the city.
Mr Livingstone said: "Tonight London will remember all of those killed by the tsunami in Asia and beyond and pledge that we will do everything in our power to assist the relief effort for those now living in catastrophic conditions.
Celebrations in London were being toned down
"Our hearts go out to the thousands of Londoners and other people throughout the world who have lost family members and friends as a result of this calamity."
A spokesman for the Mayor said the festivities had been toned down as a mark of respect for the people killed in the disaster and to reflect public attention on the tragedy.
In Edinburgh, around 100,000 people took to the streets to celebrate Hogmanay with an outdoor concert and street party in Princes Street.
A strike by London Underground signal workers has been called off, and free Tube travel is on offer between 2345 GMT and 0430 GMT.
Police were discouraging people from massing in Trafalgar Square and were urging them to go to the Embankment or the South Bank instead.
In Brighton, Sussex, pubs and nightclubs will also be asking customers to help the victims of the Asian tsunami.
This year, rather than having dancing, they are all bringing donations and clothing
Latha Vipulananthan on a south London party held by members of the Tamil community
There will be collection boxes in bars and some venues have said they will match customers' donations.
In south London, members of the Tamil community are using the usual new year parties at cricket clubs to help victims in Sri Lanka.
Latha Vipulananthan, 31, an IT support technician from Enfield, is heading to Surbiton Cricket Club but is expecting a sober atmosphere.
"This year, rather than having dancing, they are all bringing donations and clothing. Air Lanka has said, because of all the empty seats, they will take goods given to them across free of charge," she said.
Outdoor parties are also being held in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Stirling.
Last year, celebrations were called off at the last minute in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Liverpool and Newcastle due to the bad weather.
In Edinburgh, several bands are playing to 100,000 ticket-holders.
Quiet night in
At midnight 150,000 more people were expected to take to the streets to watch fireworks by Christophe Berthonneau, who masterminded the Eiffel Tower Millennium and the Athens Olympics displays.
Glasgow was expecting 25,000 to turn out for its celebrations in George Square.
But a survey early this week suggested many people were planning a quiet evening in.
According to the survey, almost eight out of 10 had been put off by high prices in clubs and bars as well as public transport difficulties, and would not go out to celebrate.
Nonetheless, figures suggest that each Briton would be spending an average £90 celebrating the evening.
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