Spectacular fireworks displays lit up cities around the world last night as people celebrated the start of 2012.
In London fireworks were shot out of Big Ben itself tor the first time as the bell chimed at midnight to usher in the New Year. An estimated 250,000 people watched the 11minute display from Embankment along the Thames.
Mayor Boris Johnson said it was a fitting way to mark the start of an extraordinary year for the city which will host the Olympic Games.
Scroll down to watch a video of the fireworks in London
LONDON: Fireworks light up the sky and Big Ben just after midnight
LONDON: 2012 starts with a bang as spectacular fireworks light up the sky over the London Eye on the South Bank of the Thames in the capital at midnight
LONDON: The dazzling display lasted for around 15 minutes in the capital
LONDON: The fireworks heralded the start of an exciting year for the capital, which will host the Olympic games
There were some 12,000 fireworks, producing 50,000 projectiles, launched during the display, which is triggered by Big Ben's chimes and lasted for around 15 minutes.
Mr Johnson had promised a 'glittering' show to highlight the exciting events that 2012 promised.
In London fireworks were shot out of Big Ben itself tor the first time as the bell chimed at midnight to usher in the New Year. An estimated 250,000 people watched the 11minute display from Embankment along the Thames.
Mayor Boris Johnson said it was a fitting way to mark the start of an extraordinary year for the city which will host the Olympic Games.
Scroll down to watch a video of the fireworks in London
LONDON: Fireworks light up the sky and Big Ben just after midnight
LONDON: 2012 starts with a bang as spectacular fireworks light up the sky over the London Eye on the South Bank of the Thames in the capital at midnight
LONDON: The dazzling display lasted for around 15 minutes in the capital
LONDON: The fireworks heralded the start of an exciting year for the capital, which will host the Olympic games
There were some 12,000 fireworks, producing 50,000 projectiles, launched during the display, which is triggered by Big Ben's chimes and lasted for around 15 minutes.
Mr Johnson had promised a 'glittering' show to highlight the exciting events that 2012 promised.
