Half a million people line London's streets to watch New Year parade to thank Olympic volunteers
- 400 Games Makers from the Olympics were the guests of honour
- Organisers said more than 500,000 people watched the parade
- The 2013 parade signalled the end of a year that saw London host the Olympic and Paralympic Games and Diamond Jubilee celebrations
- Parade made its way past some of the capital's best-known landmarks, including Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and Parliament
By JILL REILLY
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Spectators basked in sunshine today as London welcomed 2013 with a New Year's Day parade that celebrated the city's Olympics glory.
Organisers said more than 500,000 people had enjoyed the fair weather as floats, cheerleaders and brass bands marched through the centre of the capital.
The stars of the show were the Olympic volunteers who welcomed the world to London in the summer and helped make the Games such a success.
Parade: Spectators basked in sunshine today as London welcomed 2013 with a New Year's Day parade that celebrated the city's Olympics glory
In time: The 2013 parade signals the end of a year that saw London host the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations
Sparkling performance: Members of the Magical Bolivia troupe perform as the travel along the road
Cleaned up: Earlier in the day, 200 clean-up staff had cleared around 160 tonnes of rubbish from the streets of Westminster following the capital's New Year's Eve party
Crowds were entertained by the Pandemonium Drummers, whose performance was one of the Olympics opening ceremony's highlights, and the Games Maker Choir.
Event organiser Bob Bone told Sky News: 'We thought it was a fitting thing to ask them (the Games Makers) to come into our parade so that we could say thank you to them.
'But also we are looking forward as well as backward, because I think the Games Makers have shown that there's a great volunteering spirit in this country.
Smile for the camera: Members of the All American Cheerleaders and Dancers 'Starships' pose during the 27th anniversary New Year's Day parade
Focus: The stars of the show were the Olympic volunteers who welcomed the world to London in the summer and helped make the Games such a success
Steaming along: Miniature steam engines drive along Piccadilly. A worldwide television audience watched as floats representing London's boroughs competed with each other to bring festive cheer to the streets
'There are lots of things that people can carry on doing to carry that spirit of the Games Makers forward into 2013 and beyond.'
A worldwide television audience watched as floats representing London's boroughs competed with each other to bring festive cheer to the streets.
The parade made its way past some of the capital's best-known landmarks, including Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and Parliament.
Earlier in the day, 200 clean-up staff had cleared around 160 tonnes of rubbish from the streets of Westminster following the capital's New Year's Eve party.
On show: The parade performers also included people dressed up as Ghostwriters from the hit film
High in the sky: Speciality kites by Nasser Volant are seen as they fly near the London landmark Big Ben
Pulled along: Various animals featured in the popular parade earlier today
Del boy's motor: A car from the television programme Only Fools and Horses car takes part in the annual parade
On show: A reflection is seen in the instrument of a member of the Walker Valley High School 'Mustang Band' in the New Years Day Parade in London as a member of a marching band has a rest
Music to dance: The Merrydowners Morris Dancing Troupe entertain the crowds
On parade: A marching band took to the streets as the parade made its way past some of the capital's best-known landmarks, including Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and Parliament
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255694/New-Years-Day-2013-parade-Half-million-people-line-Londons-streets-thank-Olympic-volunteers.html#ixzz2Gl1W42wz
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