Sydney gets the New Year party started as the world begins to celebrate 2009 in spectacular style

Sydney got the New Year party ball rolling as the city exploded in a spectacular celebration of fireworks.

Australia's largest city hosted its annual 9pm family fireworks display as the tiny pacific island city of Kiritimati, on the Christmas Islands, become the first city in the world to officially welcome in 2009.

An hour later it was New Zealand's turn to celebrate as thousands of revellers packed Auckland to witness a dazzling fireworks display, which exploded from the city's 328 metres high Sky Tower.

But that didn't stop Sydney from celebrating early as the city hosted its family fireworks display three hours ahead of schedule.

The midnight fireworks, which are considered more grandoise, are expected to take place at 1pm British time.

The celebrations come as it is revealed that Britain's pubs and nightclubs are bracing themselves for a quiet New Year’s Eve due to a combination of freezing weather and the credit crunch.

Hundreds of venue owners are bracing themselves for a quiet night after a survey has shown that two out of three of people plan to ring in the year with family and friends.