A series of spectacular celebrations lit up the skies around the world on Monday evening as millions of spectators gathered to watch fireworks displays to welcome the start of the new year.

More than 100,000 people gathered in London on Monday evening to watch Europe’s largest annual pyrotechnic display as the world welcomed 2019 with a series of breathtaking celebrations.

Auckland was the first major city to welcome the new year with the spectacle centred around the New Zealand city’s Sky Tower.

More than a million people turned out to watch Sydney’s world-famous display, despite torrential rain and lightning earlier in the day.