HUNDREDS of revellers are set to descend on Weymouth tonight wearing wigs, masks and costumes to welcome in 2018.

The traditional celebrations see people putting on their best fancy dress costumes and head to bars, pubs and clubs throughout Weymouth before counting in the new year.

The New Year’s Eve celebrations in Weymouth have been ranked among the best in Europe in previous years. In 2014, European travel website, goeuro.co.uk ranked the resort in the top 10 in the continent alongside the likes of Rome, Brussels and Rotterdam.

This year Tom and Erin’s fancy dress shop on the seafront has been inundated with partygoers looking for the best costumes to impress the New Year’s Eve crowds.

Sales assistant, Sam Peeps, said: “New Year’s Eve is something to celebrate and dressing up is the way to do it.”

Mr Peeps said the shop’s ‘ride-on’ costumes have been very popular, and the ride-on Donald Trump costume has been a bestseller.

Once again, bars on the seafront will link up to host The Front Live event.

Tickets cost £15 and give visitors access to three different venues, including Lazy Lizard, Boombox and Aura.

Part of the Esplanade will be closed off for the night and the event’s main stage will be erected near the Lazy Lizard.

The Leggomen, The Chase, Under The Carousel and Devvo are set to perform on the main stage.

Tickets are available from The Lazy Lizard, Aura, Boombox, The George bar and grill and Batida, and gates will open at 8pm.

Other venues in town are also hosting live music.

Weymouth BID has been working with local bus firm First to provide an extended service in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

First will be running extended services on the Number 1 to Wyke Regis and Portland, Number 2 to Littlemoor, Number 8 to Chickerell and Number 10 to Dorchester and Poundbury with the last departures from Weymouth being at 1:15am on New Year’s Day.

Steve Newstead, chairman of Weymouth BID, said: “We’re delighted to be working with First Group to offer this special New Year’s Eve service.” It’s great that First passengers will have buses running late into the night as the town celebrates the New Year. By offering this alternative travel option, we hope that it’ll encourage revellers to leave their cars at home if they’re having a drink, as well as giving them a safer option opposed to walking.”