THERE was disappointment as revellers gathered outside Manchester's town hall to hear the clock strike midnight.

Visitors were stunned to find there was no firework display or other entertainment to mark the start of 2007. A large crowd cheered the striking of the clock bells - then realised there would be nothing to follow.

M.E.N. reader James Ransome said he was "ashamed" at the lack of an organised event, claiming it made Manchester look like a "second-rate city".

And a party at Manchester Academy featuring DJs from the legendary Hacienda club was cancelled at short notice. Event organisers AEG Live were unavailable to comment. Tweet