More than a hundred thousand people have gathered on the Thames in central London to welcome the New Year with the biggest firework display in Europe.
Mayor Sadiq Khan dedicated the display at the London Eye ferris wheel to the EU citizens who live in the British capital.
The words "London is open" were spoken in seven languages as the fireworks went off.
"By paying tribute to our close relationship with Europe as we welcome in the New Year tonight, we will once again show the world that London will always be open," Khan said on Facebook earlier.
He told reporters that Westminster politicians had given the world the impression that Britain is "insular, inward looking", as Britain begins the new year countdown to Brexit.
Khan said he hoped this year's event would "send a message of support" to the more than one million European citizens for whom London is home.
The Big Ben clock tower at Westminster, which has been silenced for more than a year except for special occasions due to an extensive refurbishment, also rang out to welcome 2019.
Meanwhile in Edinburgh, tens of thousands of people celebrated Hogmanay at a concert by rock band Franz Ferdinand.
Around 75,000 party-goers gathered in the centre of Edinburgh, in the shadow of the city's castle, to see in 2019 at the bells at one of the globe's largest street parties.
The jubilant crowd counted down the 10 seconds to midnight before a fireworks display lit up the sky above the famous landmark, with the soundtrack provided by German band Meute.
A mass rendition of Auld Lang Syne then rang out around the city when the fireworks fell silent.
The events were the main focus of the street party which ran for several hours over December 31 and January 1.
Organisers of Edinburgh's Hogmanay planned this year's events to celebrate the ties between Scotland and Europe as the UK prepares to leave the EU in 2019.
Bands, DJs, street performers, dancers and acrobats from Scotland and mainland Europe all performed at the open air event.
With Press Association
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