HUNDREDS of people braved the blustery weather and took to the streets of Dorset to welcome in 2018.

Pirates, superheroes and Romans were just some of the amazing costumes worn by The New Year’s Eve crowds.

Once again, Weymouth proved to be a popular destination for partygoers who flocked to the town’s bars and pubs wearing all sorts of costumes to celebrate the start of 2018. 

Staff at Batida Bar on St Thomas Street dressed up as characters from the BBC TV show Peaky Blinders to get into the party spirit. 

Alfie Bungay, who works at Batida said: "I think people just want to have fun. There seems to be a lot of pirates around and everyone is in high spirits.”

Ben Hadwin, one of the DJs working at the bar, said: “I have worked on New Year’s Eve for the last few years. It is always a good environment everyone wants to have a good night and is in good spirits.”

Reveller Richard Clifton said: “Weymouth is one of the best towns for fancy dress on New Year’s Eve. It is a good excuse to go out and have some fun. There’s usually no trouble everyone enjoys themselves. It is a good fun night, and everyone is nice to each other.”

This year, pirates proved to be a popular costume choice and crews of fierce looking folk wandered around Weymouth chanting sea shanties. 

Kerry Mckenzie, dressed up as a pirate queen and was joined by a crew of 30 pirates, who called themselves the Heart of the South West Pirates. 

She said: “My crew have been awesome, they have done as I have asked and taken care of their queen.

“I have crew members from places like Portsmouth and Yeovil, They have all come down to spend New Year’s Eve with their queen. It is the first time we’ve all been together.”

A couple of partygoers used fancy dress to voice their views on the town’s seafront lighting.

Heather Goodwin and Jo Bousfield came dressed as the Weymouth fairy lights and covered themselves with bright lights to call for their return.

Shane Scadding travelled from Ireland to enjoy New Year’s Eve in Weymouth with his partner Helen White and their son Hayden. The family dressed up as Romans.

Mr Scadding said: “Hayden loves dressing up. We come to Weymouth every year to visit family and spend New Year’s Eve."

Despite the larger than life atmosphere and buzz around the town, there appeared to be very few incidents.

Eleanor Dymott, one of the town's street pastors, said: “There has been a very good atmosphere this evening. There is very rarely trouble on New Year’s Eve.”

As the clock struck midnight, crowds raised their glasses and said goodbye to 2017 and hello to 2018 before returning to the party which carried on well in to the night.

Hundreds enjoyed a party on the Esplanade as several bars put on The Front Live, a live music event, and hundreds more danced the night away at the Rendezvous.

Ali Record, one of the organisers of The Front Live, said the event was a smash hit.

In Dorchester, partygoers flocked to the many bars and clubs around the county town to welcome in the new year. 

Visitors were treated to live music from local bands, who performed until late in the evening, and a number of people decided to dress up to celebrate the new year.