[Harry!]

http://news.scotsman.com/

EXTRA security has been drafted in to the stage where X Factor winner Leon Jackson will perform as he opens this year's Hogmanay street party.

Police are predicting an upsurge in revellers at the Waverley Stage as they flock to watch one of the 18-year-old's first live performances since the TV show.

More than 300 police officers and 400 fully-trained stewards will be looking after the 100,000 people expected to take part in the Princes Street celebrations.

And details of the 48 roads which will be closed to accommodate the street party are today published to help revellers plan their route into the city centre.

Assistant Chief Constable Neil Richardson, who has been heading up preparations for Lothian and Borders Police, is confident the event will remain as trouble-free as it has always been.

He said: "This is a pretty safe event and the number of incidents are minimal.

"There are always people who don't know when to stop, but they must be aware that the police have to deal with that very robustly.

"With Leon's arrival, we have revisited our original plans and upped the numbers as there's a likelihood there will be more numbers at that stage than there would have been if he wasn't attending, so we will have extra stewards to manage increased crowds. It's now a well-oiled machine and I'm not anticipating any problems."

This year, for the first time, alcohol will be on sale to the crowds, with nine bars being set up on Princes Street.

Police are warning people to drink sensibly, and not to bring glass into the arena. They are also advising party-goers to adopt a "common sense" approach to getting into the city centre and back home again after the event. Free night buses will be provided to take revellers home after the party.

Mr Richardson added: "This is the first year that drink will be available for purchase within the main arena, so there's not the need to take in massive stocks.

"By all means, enjoy a drink, but please enjoy it sensibly."

More than 10,000 people are expected to get the city's four-day Hogmanay celebrations off to a start tonight with a Torchlight Procession, which leaves from Parliament Square at 6pm. The Night A'fore Monster Ceilidh takes place tomorrow night on George Street before the world's biggest street party on Monday.

Lord Provost, George Grubb, said: "Edinburgh is all set for a capital Hogmanay and a warm welcome awaits the revellers."

Hogmanay health reminder for revellers

STREET party-goers were today urged by NHS Lothian to wear several layers of clothes and drink sensibly to avoid problems at Hogmanay.

Revellers are also advised that medical staff will be on hand at posts around Princes Street for advice and first aid – and urged not to flock to A&E with minor injuries.

Minor injuries sustained on the night can be treated at the first aid posts, or at the minor injuries clinic at the Western General Hospital.

Extra doctors and nurses will also been working in the A&E department at Edinburgh's Royal Infirmary, while a special area will be set up to look after those who have had too much to drink.

Dr Dermot Gorman, a consultant in public health medicine, said: "It's in everyone's interest for you to get the right care at the right time and place – think whether or not your injury or problem is so severe that you need treatment at Accident & Emergency. Please remember Accident & Emergency and 999 services are for emergency situations only. "

He added: "Wearing several layers of thinner clothing rather than one thick layer is a more effective way of keeping in the warm.

"If icy cold weather is forecast, wear a hat, scarf and gloves, and watch your footing on icy ground.

And he added: "Be sensible about how much you have to drink."