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Manchester's New Year's Eve fireworks spectacular was delayed for an excruciating FOUR minutes - because of a tram which pulled into Piccadilly on the stroke of midnight.

Organisers said the Metrolink vehicle had pulled into the 'fall out' zone, where debris from the fireworks can fall, so it was not safe to start the display until it moved.

Town hall bosses said a record 15,000 people crammed into Piccadilly Gardens to watch the show – but they were left waiting for more than four minutes until it finally got under-way.

Pat Karney, Manchester council's city centre spokesman, told the Manchester Evening News : “It was a fabulous Manchester crowd, the biggest we've ever had for a firework display.

“The tram delay added extra excitement and suspense to the occasion. I'll leave it to the transport authority to check what happened.”

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

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Thousands of people – including hundreds of families – had started gathering in Piccadilly Gardens from 10pm last night to watch the display.

Lee Murrell, 29, from Huddersfield, travelled across for the night with his partner Kathryn Johnson, 24, and daughter Ebony, 10.

He said: “It was a last minute thing, spare of the moment. We didn't have any plans so I Googled firework displays nearby and this came up.

“It's somewhere to take the kids on New Year. It's good to get them out and at Ebony's age there's not many things we can do. It's been a really good atmosphere."

James Brydon, 22, and Roxanne Carswell, 21, both from Carlisle, came down to Manchester again this year after enjoying the fireworks so much last year.

(Image: NPAS_Barton)

Roxanne said: “We loved it last year. The atmosphere was so good. Nothing really goes on Carlisle. Not like this anyway.”

James added: “And it's not raining. That's the main thing.”

Annette Mercer, 35, from Wigan, came with her children Jack, 17, and Lillie, six.

She said: “Normally I'd go out drinking in Wigan but this is something different that we can all do together. And my liver can't cope anymore, I'm nearly 36!”

The party - which was alcohol-free – was funded by the owners of the big wheel.

Police said the event passed off peacefully, with two arrests on the fringes of Piccadilly Gardens - one for breach of the peace and the other for drunk and disorderly.

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Elsewhere across the country, London's Met Police said it made 90 arrests overnight - the majority for drunk and disorderly and assault.

Thousands gathered along the Thames to see an 11-minute display centring on the London Eye, accompanied by a electronic soundtrack and followed by Auld Lang Syne.

Ticketing was introduced for the first time in London, with numbers kept to 100,000, down on the estimated 500,00 last year.

Up to 75,000 people gathered in Edinburgh for the world-famous Hogmanay event which saw Lily Allen headline the Concert In The Gardens.

Celebrations at Stirling Castle's esplanade were cancelled due to high winds.

Take a look at New Year's Eve revellers who really got into the party spirit.