A pretty girl lies face down in the SNOW as hardy revellers braved freezing temperatures to welcome in the New Year across UK.

The drunken brunette had to be helped to her feet by pals in Newcastle as Brits across the country celebrated the end of the Noughties.

Men in the city of Newcastle ignored the cold snap - stripping off their shirts to fight.
In London, more than 200,000 people gathered on the banks of the River Thames to hear Big Ben strike midnight, while thousands joined Hogmanay celebrations in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Fireworks erupted over the London Eye for seven-and-a-half minutes and up to 80,000 people ushered in the New Year at the huge outdoor celebration in Edinburgh, where temperatures fell to a biting -6C by midnight.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said the dazzling display showed the world that "the most exciting city on Earth" was looking forward to the future with "optimism and energy".

Cheers erupted as the chimes sounded midnight and fireworks lit up the mainly clear night sky, while Hogmanay revellers embraced and held hands for a mass rendition of Auld Lang Syne.

Clubbers also saw the New Year in at the O2 Arena where the Ministry of Sound Live event included performances by Calvin Harris, among others.

Arrests

More than 3,000 police officers were on duty in central London as part of a huge operation to deal with the crowds.

Officers in London made a total of 78 arrests by 3.30am, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said.

A total of 18 people were arrested for being drunk and disorderly, 16 for assault, 14 for public order offences, 11 for possession of drugs, four for immigration offences, four for handling stolen goods and three for sexual offences.

Two were held for criminal damage, two after being wanted on warrant, two for possession of an offensive weapon, one for illegal trading and one for non-payment of a fine.

They were all taken to London police stations, the spokesman said.