New Year’s Eve firework display in London cancelled

The annual New Year’s Eve firework display over the River Thames in central London has been cancelled for a second year because of COVID.

Up to 100,000 people usually attend the event which is broadcast around the world.

City Hall said it has been axed this year due to “uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic”.

However, a spokesman for London Mayor Sadiq Khan promised the New Year celebrations in the capital will still be “spectacular”.

“This year, as always, London will be welcoming the New Year in a spectacular way,” he said.

“Due to the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our world-famous New Year’s Eve display will not be held on the banks of the Thames this year.”

Last year, the display was moved to a different area of London – in Greenwich and involved drones, in a somewhat more muted celebration.