1.
GV. CROWDS IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE
0.07

2.
SC. CROWDS
0.13

3.
SV. TEENAGERS
0.16

4.
SV. GIRL WITH TRANSISTOR RADIO
0.20

5.
GV. ZOOM IN TO...PEOPLE IN FOUNTAINS, ONE CLIMBS TO TOP
0.30

6.
SV. POLICEMEN WATCH
0.32

7.
GV. ANOTHER GROUP IN FOUNTAIN SPLASHING
0.48

8.
GV. MAN ON TOP OF FOUNTAIN
0.58

9.
CU. CAMERA BURNING, MEN WITH EXTINGUISHER
1.15

10.
GV. CROWDS
1.21



Initials GEM/V/CR/JG


EDITORS: THERE IS NATURAL SOUND THROUGHOUT THIS FILM.

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: TRAFALGAR SQUARE IN LONDON IS THE NATIONAL FORUM FOR BRITISH CELEBRATION OR DEMONSTRATION, AND A GENERAL ELECTION ALWAYS PROVIDES AN EXCUSE FOR A NOISY GATHERING. THE CROWDS WERE THERE IN THEIR THOUSANDS TONIGHT (31 MARCH) AS MR. HAROLD WILSON'S LABOUR PARTY MADE DRAMATIC GAINS.

A BIG ELECTRIC SIGN IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE FLASHED ELECTION RESULTS TO THE CROWD, WHICH HAD BEGUN TO ASSEMBLE EVEN BEFORE THE POLLING BOOTHS CLOSED. IN THE EARLY HOURS, THEY WERE STILL THERE TO SEE THE LABOUR PARTY GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH.

THE ILLUMINATED FOUNTAINS WERE AN INEVITABLE TEMPTATION FOR EXUBERANT MEMBERS OF THE CROWD. DESPITE A COOL EVENING IN EARLY SPRING, THEY PLASHED HAPPILY AND CLIMBED TO BALANCE PERILOUSLY AT THE TOP OF THE FOUNTAINS WHILE WATCHFUL LONDON POLICEMEN LOOKED ON.

THERE WAS A MOMENT OF MILD ALARM WHEN A PLASTIC CAMERA CAUGHT FIRE. BUT AUTHORITY WAS QUICKLY ON THE SCENE WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, AND THE MIDNIGHT PADDLERS CONTINUED THEIR REVELS.