IN PICTURES: Record numbers see in the New Year in North Devon

Wednesday, January 2, 2013
12:41 PM

Thousands take to the streets to celebrate the arrival of 2013.

Thousands of people came together to create a huge New Year’s Eve party on Bideford Quay. Picture by Graham Hobbs

THOUSANDS of revellers turned out across North Devon to see in the New Year in style, with record numbers reported in Bideford and Barnstaple.

Bideford is thought to have enjoyed the biggest turn out for a number of years, with an estimated 40,000-plus people thronging the quay to await the arrival of 2013.

The event enjoyed a James Bond-style theme, with live music, competitions and a firework display at midnight.

Organisers of the sixth Barnstaple New Year’s Eve Celebrations announced a record amount of revellers filled Barnstaple Square in the countdown to midnight.

Thousands of people came together to create a huge New Year’s Eve party on Bideford Quay. Picture by Graham Hobbs

All age groups enjoyed the family orientated festivities hosted by DJ James Chapple and thousands took part in a Gangnam Style dance routine before fireworks over the River Taw welcomed the New Year.

“The committee would like to thank the team of stewards who gave up their new years eve to keep our event safe,” said chairman Ian Roome.

“Our security team and the police also did a fantastic job. Now it’s time to begin organising the 2013 event.”