'Groovy' 60s' New Year's Day Parade in London

More than 500,000 people are expected at the parade in 2014

Thousands are expected to celebrate the swinging 60s in London's traditional New Year's Day parade.

More than 500,000 people are expected at the event, which the parade organisers say will be the "grooviest New Year's Day in over 50 years".

The 2.2 mile parade, which will begin at midday in Piccadilly, will see 17 marching bands and 1,500 cheerleaders.

The procession will end in Parliament Square. Eighteen London councils have submitted their plans for the parade.

There will be about 5,000 overseas performers at the event and the acts will include a tribute to the Rolling Stones.

Bob Bone, Parade executive director, said: "They say if you can remember the Sixties then you weren't there - so we are giving the world a little reminder of just how cool it all was."