New Year’s Eve cold warning

People preparing to venture outside to welcome in 2009 have been warned to expect sub-zero conditions tonight. The Met Office is predicting temperatures of minus 6C (21F) in parts of Scotland and minus 4C (25F) in England. "Many parts will be below zero and very frosty. It's a big contrast to the milder weather we¹ve had in the past five years or so," a spokesman said.

In London, up to half a million people are expected to attend a £1.6m party at the London Eye, while Manchester is to hold the city's first public New Year's Eve celebration since the Millennium.

However, a YouGov poll has found that more than a third of British people are more worried by the chill wind of recession and plan to stay at home and save money. As a result, several New Year's Eve events still have unsold tickets, including Elton John's concert at the O2 arena in London and Deacon Blue's concert at Stirling Castle.