By PAMELA OWEN and ANNA EDWARDS
LONDON: Fireworks light up the sky and Big Ben just after midnight
Revellers across the world are celebrating the end of 2011 and starting to see in 2012 with spectacular fireworks displays which lit up the night skies.
In London a dazzling fireworks display attracted thousands of people who clamoured to see the impressive display.
The London Eye and Big Ben were the focal point for the pyrotechnics, which London Mayor Boris Johnson said would be a fitting way to mark the start of an extraordinary year for the city.
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.
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
Mr Johnson had promised a 'glittering' show to highlight the exciting events that 2012 promised.
The Mayor of London's office said the display was the result of 12 months of planning. A crew of 306 has been working on the site since Boxing Day, with 1,803 staff - including stewards - on duty on the night itself.
There were 30 tonnes of equipment on the three fireworks barges on the river ready for the display, which was triggered by GPS to the chimes of Big Ben.
The start of the London fireworks was accompanied by a recording of the moment the capital learned it would host next summer's Olympic and Paralympic Games.
LONDON: Welcome to 2012! The show had an Olympian theme
LONDON: The display was the result of 12 months of planning with a crew of 306 working on the site since Boxing Day
LONDON: Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'Our New Year fireworks were a brilliant start to a spectacular year.'
There was a distinctly Olympian theme to the display on the River Thames with fireworks launched over the London Eye in the shape and colours of the Olympic rings. The accompanying soundtrack saw Chariots of Fire kick off a medley of London-themed songs.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'Our New Year fireworks were a brilliant start to a spectacular year.
'This is just the beginning - as the eyes of the world turn to London for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, there will be amazing events across the capital up to, during and beyond a summer like no other.'
LONDON: Fireworks explode over the Houses of Parliament
LONDON: The new year will host the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games
LONDON: Thousands lined up against the banks so they could watch the show
LONDON: Crowds gathered on Westminster Bridge in central London as they wait for New Years Eve fireworks to be set off
Revellers had travelled to London from around the world to welcome in 2012 and were thrilled by the dazzling display.
Horst Ritter, 41, an IT worker from Frankfurt, Germany, said: 'It was really fantastic, it was better than expectations. Absolutely a great start to 2012.
'The weather was fine and everything was perfect. Thank you to London for the great fireworks.'
Amy Malan, 32, a housewife from California, said: 'It was one of the best displays we have ever seen. It was more than we expected, so amazing.
'It was such a brilliant start to 2012, they were just never-ending, so great.'
London-themed songs accompanied the fireworks, which were expected to be watched on television by millions of people around the world.
SCOTLAND: Fireworks over Edinburgh Castle during celebrations to mark the new year at the Hogmanay street party
Sean Ingles, 23, had travelled from New Orleans in Louisiana to bring in the New Year in Edinburgh.
He said: 'I came with my dad who is originally from here, he moved to the States about 25 years ago and he brought us home for the good times.
'We came here just for Hogmanay, it's been great. I've met all kinds of great people in the crowd, it's just been fantastic.
'The atmosphere is brilliant, I feel right at home. New Orleans is such a friendly city and Scotland is very much the same. It was definitely worth the trip.'
Newlyweds Rob and Claire Atkins, from Nottingham, said the party had been the perfect end to the perfect year.
Mrs Atkins, 31, said: 'We got married earlier this year so 2011 has been brilliant, we like to think we're carrying on the celebrations tonight.'
Some 3,000 police officers are on duty overnight to deal with the crowds who have descended on the capital, not only on the banks of the Thames to watch the fireworks but also in Trafalgar Square.
Some were stationed on podiums to give them a bird's-eye view of any troublemakers in the crowds.
VIENNA: The number 2012 is written with sparklers during a long exposure in front of St Stephen's Cathedral during New Year's Eve celebrations
BEIJING: The Circular Mound is illuminated with a variety of colourful lights as China celebrates 2012 at the Temple of Heaven Park
MOSCOW: Thousands of people watched the fireworks explode during the new year's day celebration on Red Square
More than a million people gathered at mass at vantage points along the harbour to watch the pyrotechnics display in Sydney.
This year's theme was 'Time to Dream' and it is hoped it will help inspire those who have had a particularly bad 2011 to look forward to the year ahead.
Some of the fireworks exploded into shapes of clouds - because every one has a silver lining - and a series of colourful lights were beamed into the centre of the bridge forming an 'endless rainbow'.
SINGAPORE: Spectacular scenes could be seen from across the city as fireworks exploded over Marina Bay during the New Year celebrations
NATO: Troops from the US led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and service members dance during their celebrations
MALAYSIA: Fireworks display near the country's landmark Petronas twin towers during the New Year celebrations as the clock strikes 12
KUALA LUMPUR: Three women, who wore illuminated bunny ears to get into the spirit
Thousands of people in Tokyo released balloons carrying hand-written wishes for the New year and in Hong Kong huge crowds turned out to witness the countdown which was illuminated by numbers on the side of a skyscraper.
Taiwan celebrated by lighting up the world's second-tallest building, Taipei 101 with a display of fireworks.
The New Year's Eve party on the island of Samoa started a whole day earlier than normal after the South Pacific nation moved 24 hours into the future, making it the first to see in the new year.
People began celebrating as soon as the clocked ticked over from Thursday, December 29, skipping Friday and moving straight onto Saturday, December 31 at 12.01am.
PHILIPPINES: A huge fireworks and water fountain display marks the New Year at Manila's Rizal Park
GERMANY: Fireworks explode before New Year celebrations over the 'Golden Victoria' on top of Berlin's landmark victory column
Samao and neighbouring Tokelau lie near the date line in the Pacific Ocean and both islands decided to realign themselves from the Americas side to the Asia side in order to be more in line with major trading partners. It is hoped the move will help improve the economy.
Pools and beaches have been packed with Samoans and tourists who are keen to be the first to celebrate rather than the last.
TAIWAN: Colourful fireworks explode from the country's tallest skyscraper Taipei 101 and light up the night sky as the country celebrates the start of 2012
SYDNEY: Thousands of people gathered to watch the impressive display as Australia welcomed in the New Year
AUSTRALIA: A red hue lights up the sky over the Sydney Opera House. More than a million people gathered to watch and then celebrate 2012
Elsewhere across globe millions of people are preparing to say goodbye to a year that saw mass uprisings in several Arab countries, the deaths of Osama Bin Laden, Muammar Gaddafi and Kim Jong-Il.
It was also a year of economic turmoil which saw an endless string of natural disasters that devastated several countries across the world.
Samoans celebrated New Year's Eve first this year, left, rather than last, after they skipped Friday altogether and a woman, right, celebrates in Sydney
Indian students in Ahmadabad show off placards as they prepare to welcome in the New Year
Now watch the video of the Sydney Harbour fireworks
source: dailymail
While many British celebrities will be braving the rainy streets of London tonight to welcome in the New Year, there's one star who decided to see in 2012 in style - by jetting off on a sunshine break to Mauritius.
Enviable bodies: Pixie and her model boyfriend showed off their trim figures during a stroll on the sand 
Stylish! Pixie Lott wore a bow in her hair during a dip in the sea with boyfriend Oliver Cheshire while in Mauritius
Pink princess: Pixie looked a little red on her stomach and chest as a visible white tan line could be seen across her bikini bottoms
Sorry boys, she's taken! Pixie was very affectionate with Oliver throughout their day on the beach
