City Hall monitors weather before New Year display

Last year, the fireworks display in central London was enjoyed by millions across the world on TV

City Hall has said it was monitoring the weather forecast ahead of London's sold-out New Year's Eve firework display.

Gusts of wind are expected to reach up to 41mph in the runup to midnight, with rain continuing into the early hours of the morning.

The mayor of London issuing a warning to people to be wary of scammers ahead of the event, which will take place around South Bank and Victoria Embankment.

Tickets have sold out and resale tickets are only available on the website Ticketmaster, Sadiq Khan posted on X.

Met Police said the force was working alongside the organisers for the event, stressing there will be no access to anyone without tickets.

Ticketing was introduced 10 years ago to ease the strain on transport and the emergency services.

Last year, fake tickets were the cause of problems experienced by some people trying to watch the display.

Complaints about long queues, poor signage and not being allowed into the allocated viewing areas have also previously been made.

'Please plan'

Gurpreet Chhokar, a consumer law expert from Which? said fraudsters "are always on the lookout for new ways to part people from their hard-earned cash".

"If you think you've fallen victim to a ticket scam online, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud or the police if you live in Scotland," he added.

Separately, setting out its policing plans, the Met said stewarding teams would have primary responsibility for crowd control and there would also be a highly visible police presence.

Cdr Nick John, leading the New Year's Eve policing operation, said London was expected to be exceptionally busy - particularly the West End - and people should plan how to get home after the celebrations.

He said it was "regrettable" that in recent years there has been an increase in incidents "where a minority have tried to illegally force entry into ticketed events, putting everyone's safety at risk".

Anyone trying to gain entry in this way on New Year's Eve could be arrested and face prosecution, he added.