Storms could dampen New Year celebrations

LONDON, Dec 30 (Reuters) Heavy rain and strong winds will batter Britain over the weekend, dampening the spirits of all but the most ardent New Year revellers as doubts grow over the wisdom of going ahead with firework displays.

The Met Office yesterday was forecasting a ''very disturbed spell of weather'' over the next few days with winds gusting to 70mph, possibly 80mph early today in parts of Scotland.

The high winds will then move down the country to hit the Midlands, East Anglia and southern England later today and into Sunday.

In 2003 bad weather forced the cancellation of many outdoor celebrations because of safety fears. Up to 100,000 people who had gathered in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh were disappointed when the celebrations were called off just one hour before midnight on New Year's Eve.

The Highways Agency warned drivers to take extra care because of the weather conditions. Rain and spray could reduce visibility and increase stopping distances by as much as 100 percent, it said.

''Motor cyclists and drivers of high-sided vehicles are asked to be especially vigilant,'' the agency said on its Web site.

REUTERS AB KN0934