New Year's Eve preparations - in pictures

People around the world prepare to celebrate the New Year

Edinburgh, Scotland: Some of the 5.5 tonnes of fireworks at Edinburgh Castle for the city's Hogmanay celebrations

Madrid, Spain: A clockmaker checks and adjusts the Puerta del Sol Square clock, the emblematic chronometer that will ring the bells bidding farewell to 2011 and welcoming the new year

New York, USA: Organisers toss confetti from a window during the annual air worthiness test in Times Square during preparations for New Year's Eve celebrations

Ahmedabad, India: A man has his beard trimmed into the shape of 2012 to welcome the New Year

Hong Kong: Models wearing different national costumes smile during a promotional event outside the Times Square shopping mall, a popular New Year countdown venue

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