The UK's week in pictures: Winter Solstice, booster shots and Christmas preparations

'The National' selects the most striking pictures from around the UK over the past week

The Trafalgar Theatre in central London was forced to cancel its Monday evening performance of 'Jersey Boys' after members of the company tested positive for coronavirus. The UK's leading theatres are suffering from a wave of cancellations as the country is hit by surging Omicron infections. PA

With UK citizens being asked to work from home where possible, a very quiet Waterloo Station was pictured on Tuesday morning in London. PA

Choristers from St Paul's Cathedral took part in a Christmas rehearsal on Tuesday in London. Reuters

A close up view of Elizabeth Tower, known as Big Ben, at the Palace of Westminster in London was captured on Tuesday. Big Ben will bong on New Year's Eve, with all faces of the Houses of Parliament's famous clock tower on display for the first time in four years. PA

Nurses work at a desk surrounded by Christmas decorations on a ward for Covid-19 patients at King's College Hospital, in south-east London on Tuesday. The UK again reported record numbers of Covid-19 cases this week, with about 1 in 45 people now infected in England. PA

Revellers gathered at Stonehenge early on Wednesday morning to welcome the winter solstice at sun rise. Reuters

Geometric neon snowflakes created by artist Hannah Ayre were pictured from above on Wednesday in Edinburgh. The artworks surround the city's Christmas Tree on The Mound. PA

The Royal Army Medical Corps helped administer vaccinations at the Army Reserve Centre in Poole on Thursday. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will encourage people across the UK to get their booster jabs in his Christmas message this year, describing it as a 'wonderful' gift to their families. Getty Images

A volunteer delivered breakfast to homeless people in their rooms at a hotel in central London on Thursday, as national homelessness charity Crisis opened its Christmas services for the 50th year. PA

Thursday also saw motorcyclists dressed as Father Christmas spreading some cheer as they drove along Oxford Street in central London. PA

Christmas preparations ramped up on Thursday, as shoppers filled the car park at Fosse Shopping Park in Leicester. PA

A stunning Christmas lights display was pictured on Thursday outside The Dome in George Street, Edinburgh. PA

Shoppers outside Selfridges department store on Oxford Street in London on Friday morning. The billionaire dynasty behind Selfridges and Co has sold the British department store operator to a consortium led by Thai conglomerate Central Group in one of the biggest UK retail deals for years. PA

This week, revellers welcomed in the winter Solstice at Stonehenge, the UK's booster campaign continued, and the country prepared for Christmas.