Crowds warm to firework extravaganza

MORE than half a million skygazers surged to the territory's top vantage points to watch the Lunar New Year firework extravaganza last night, despite chilly conditions.

As the rockets soared through the skies to usher in the Year of the Rat, shivering crowds huddled together along the waterfront - 390,000 at Kowloon West, 100,000 at Wan Chai, and 25,000 at Central.

Another 3,000 braced the bitter winds of the Peak for a birds-eye view.

Sponsor Li & Fung Limited had imported more than six tonnes of fireworks from Europe to light up what turned out to be a clear sky, with the starburst lasting 25 minutes.

Police said the display was trouble-free, with no arrests and no reports of accidents.

Fireworks enthusiasts boarded junks in the harbour to toast the starbursts with glasses of champagne.