FEWER people are choosing pubs and clubs to celebrate New Year's Eve.

Instead, recent surveys show that more revellers are choosing to party at home.

The most common complaints about December 31 on the town are overcrowding - plus inflated prices for drink, entry to clubs and taxis.

Disorder caused by people having too much to drink can also ruin the big night out for many.

A survey of 2,000 people in Britain showed that 26% plan to stay at home to see in 2005.

Around 21% plan to do nothing at all and only 14% will hit the town.

Of those who do go out, the under 20s age group will spend most - an average of £81. The over-50s group will spend least - just £45.

In Yorkshire, the average spend on New Year's Eve is £60.

The Examiner asked people in Huddersfield how they were planning to mark the dawn of 2005.

Names: Darren Taylor, partner Kim Heaton and Darren's son, Kyle

Ages: Darren is 27, Kim is 17 and Kyle is four

Live: Paddock

Darren says: "We're not planning anything."

Kim says: "We normally stay in."

Name: Agnes Sobczak (right(, pictured with husband Jack, 42 and daughter Eve, 16

Age: 42

Lives: Poland

She says: "We are visiting friends in Brockholes for Christmas and new year and we're going to a bonfire at a friend's house. It is not so different from new year in Poland. We usually celebrate quietly with friends and family."

Name: Sarah Dyson

Age: 32

Lives: Dalton

She says: "We are having a fancy dress party at my friend's house. We've done it for about 10 years now. This year it's a Chinese theme. We find it cheaper than going out, because you've got to get a babysitter and everything else. This way, the kids get involved."

Names: Mandy Holt and Kelly Tattersall

Ages: Mandy (left) is 27 and Kelly is 22

Live: Both live in Milnsbridge

Mandy says: "We are staying in because the prices in town are ridiculous. We are having friends round and eating and drinking too much. We usually have a party at someone's house and this year it's mine."

Kelly says: "If you go out, the clubs are expensive, drinks are expensive and so are taxis."