LONDON's world-famous New Year's Eve's fireworks are still cancelled, despite Downing Street giving December 31 get-togethers the green light.

Mayor Sadiq Khan had been facing mounting pressure to bring back the traditional display after it was scrapped in 2020 – but it's off for another year.

The pyrotechnics spectacular was officially axed in October "due to the uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic".

Mr Khan announced a 6,500-person party in Trafalgar Square would be held in its place, with live music, stage performers and food stalls.

But even that was ditched on December 20 over fears surrounding the rapidly-spreading Omicron variant.

The mayor said: "With infections of Covid-19 at record levels across our city and the UK, I’m determined to work closely with partners in our city to do everything we possibly can to slow the spread of the new variant and ensure our NHS services are not overwhelmed this winter."

However, despite daily infections soaring in the UK, the government offered a glimmer of hope the celebrations might be a go.

Sajid Javid yesterday announced no new Covid rules would be introduced before January 1.

Millions of Brits let out a collective sigh of relief as the Health Secretary confirmed they could welcome in the New Year surrounded by friends and loved ones.

But the mayor's office today shot down any dreams of getting to enjoy the festivities on the River Thames – or in Trafalgar Square.

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A spokesperson for Mr Khan said: "Despite the Government’s announcement there are no plans to resurrect the Trafalgar Square event.

"As you can imagine, putting on a 6,500-person event is quite an undertaking at the best of times, let alone when everything has been stood down 10 days before.

"The ‘traditional’ NYE fireworks on the Thames focused on the London Eye had not been planned for this year, the Trafalgar Square event had taken its place.

"However, a brand-new live broadcast spectacular celebrating our city and highlighting the defining moments of 2021 will be the centrepiece of our New Year’s Eve celebrations in London, much like last year."

Britain's flagship NYE celebration usually sees thousands line the banks of the Thames to watch a dazzling fireworks show as Big Ben bongs for midnight.

But last year, eerie pictures showed the riverside deserted as the clock struck 12.

And scenes could be pretty similar for 2021 after a health minister warned revellers should celebrate "cautiously" and "outside" – despite no new lockdown restrictions.

PHEW YEAR'S EVE

Gillian Keegan told party-ready Brits that Downing Street "won't hesitate to act" if the spread of Omicron causes hospitalisation numbers to rise.

But vaccines could be the key to freedom after a string of hugely positive studies show Omicron IS milder than other strains, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.

Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.

The Sun's Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits' arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.

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