Dome leads the way for New Year revellers

After months of argument about its demise, the Millennium Dome was star of the show once more last night as it opened it doors to do what it always did best: holding the party to end all parties.

Around 40,000 ticket-holders danced the night away in an all-night rave featuring 50 DJs.

In Edinburgh, where many hotels had reported more intense demand for rooms than for the Millennium celebrations, 100,000 party-goers crowded Princes Street to be entertained by The Proclaimers and Mull Historical Society. A spectacular fireworks display was followed by the traditional torchlight procession. In Glasgow, tens of thousands took part in celebrations centring on four music stages across the city centre. Cardiff's City Hall lawn was transformed into an open-air ice rink.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr George Carey provided a thoughtful counterpoint to the revelry in an annual New Year's message dwelling on the events of 11 September, and saying how the power of love can conquer all.