Margaret Thatcher dead: Street parties held across the UK to mark passing of PM
Paul Cockerton
People cheered and handed out 'Maggie death cake' today at one of several street parties held to celebrate Margaret Thatcher's death.
Video of the gathering in LEEDS was posted on YouTube and shows dozens of people whooping in delight.
A man can be seen using a megaphone chanting: "If you all hate Thatcher clap your hands."
The former Prime Minister died peacefully this morning aged 87 at the Ritz Hotel after suffering a stroke.
While tributes poured in from many around the world and across the political spectrum, there were celebrations from others.
Within an hour of her passing being announced, a public celebration in BRIXTON, South London was promoted on Facebook.
The event started at 5.30pm in Windrush Square and by nightfall had attracted around 500 protesters.
Banners were draped over the Ritzy cinema while the letters advertising 'now showing' films rearranged to spell out 'Margret Thatcher dead'.
Some attendees were carrying banners, with one saying: "Rejoice, Thatcher is dead."
They also opened champagne and cheered, shouting: "Maggie, Maggie, Maggie, dead, dead, dead."
One shouted: "Free milk for all."
In GLASGOW more than 300 people gathered in George Square in the city centre to hold the impromptu party.
Crowds gathered from 5pm, despite a statement from Glasgow City Council discouraging anyone from attending the event.
Campaigners shouted from loudspeakers, "Maggie, Maggie, Maggie" as the crowd replied "dead, dead, dead".
A chorus of "so long the witch is dead" erupted from those gathered as a cork from a champagne bottle was popped.
There were also some who came prepared with cardboard party hats and streamers.
In the Falls Road area of BELFAST, a centre for the Irish Republican community, hundreds gathered to wave flags and chant.
In Trafalgar Square in central London, champagne bottles were passed around as people celebrated.
A Facebook group is calling for another celebration in Trafalgar Square on Saturday from 6pm.
Meanwhile a campaign has been launched following the death of Baroness Thatcher to make 'Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead' number one.
It features in the 1939 musical The Wizard of Oz and is sung by Dorothy, played by Judy Garland, the Munchkins and Glinda the Good Witch, played by Billie Burke.
They sing it as they celebrate the death of the Wicked Witch of the East after Dorothy "dropped a house on her".
Elsewhere, a website set up three years ago asking 'Is Margaret Thatcher Dead Yet?' was today updated for the first time - with the word 'YES'.