Big freeze can't cool city's Hogmanay party spirit

Published on Thursday 1 January 2009 11:32

TENS of thousands of revellers flocked to the capital's spectacular Hogmanay street party to welcome the start of the Homecoming Year.

Around 100,000 people - an increase of 5000 on last year - joined in the festivities despite sub-zero temperatures, and took part in the world's biggest ever recorded rendition of Auld Lang Syne.

More fireworks than ever before lit up the skies above the Capital with a series of mini-displays in the run up to the midnight finale.

Lothian and Borders Police said there were no major incidents with seven arrests made on the night - four for disorder and three for breach of the peace.

There were also five reported crimes- three assaults and two thefts.

There were no major medical incidents.

A massive clean-up operation got underway at 3am which involved 45 council staff and 20 vehicles removing 20-30 tonnes of rubbish by mid-morning.

Edinburgh's festivals and events champion, councillor Steve Cardownie, said: "Once again Edinburgh has shown how to bring in the New Year with a fantastic shindig. Without question our street party is one of the best ways in the world to bring in the New Year and this year's event cements Edinburgh's status as the home of Hogmanay."

Two women were treated for burns after indoor pyrotechnics started a fire inside a packed nightclub.

Hundreds of party-goers had just seen in the New Year when the blaze broke out in the Luna nightclub in Picardy Place.

Firefighters were forced to evacuate the club after the fire started in the ground floor of the three storey building at around 12.10am.

A spokeswoman for the fire brigade said two women had suffered minor burns and were treated by ambulance staff at the scene.

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