New Years Eve 2011 Fireworks Venue Choosen

Boris Johnson is planning a spectacular free New Year's Eve party for 80,000 Londoners in the Olympic stadium seven months before the Games begin.

A giant fireworks display will light up the East End and top music acts will play in the arena on 31 December 2011 to herald the beginning of the Olympic year.

Plans for the event are taking shape as the Olympic Authority becomes confident construction work will be completed in time to open the park to the public well before the Games. Pyrotechnics are likely to be supplied by Chinese firm Panda Fireworks, the company which was hired for the Beijing opening ceremony and has been touting for repeat Olympic business in London.