Street party near sell-out

HOGMANAY street party passes have sold out, organisers say, although more expensive "pass plus" tickets are still available.

Organisers expect 100,000 people to join the celebrations, with acts including Glasvegas, Attic Lights, The Hoosiers, and Michelle McManus on four live stages.

More than 10,000 of the £10 passes were scooped up in the first six hours when they went on sale in October. Just under 5000 Pass Plus packages, priced £17, which include a commemorative saltire hat, are still available.

Tickets are still on sale for four other events, the Concert in the Gardens, the Glayva Ceilidh in the Gardens, The Hoog and Boogie Wonderland. These include entry to the street party.

Councillor Steve Cardownie, the city's festivals and events champion, said: "2008 is set to go out with a bang with one of the best Edinburgh's Hogmanay Street Parties yet. We've put together a fantastic programme that is bigger, longer and more varied than ever before."