THREE-QUARTERS of Britons are planning to kick-start 2005 with a New Year resolution - but only half will keep them, a survey has found.

The poll discovered that 71% of people made resolutions last year, while this year 76% plan to do the same.

The popular favourites are dieting, giving up smoking and doing more exercise.

Other resolutions this year include cutting down on alcohol, spending more time with the family and changing jobs or working harder.

But the survey for UKTV found most resolutions ended in failure, with 57% saying that last year's attempts to change their lives for the better had failed.

Most people (75%) gave up within six months of making their resolution - a third say they usually give in after just one week.

Last year, women were more likely to make a resolution (76%) than men (61%).

But women are more likely to break their vows - 60% did last year compared to 49% of men.

Men are more likely to attempt to give up smoking - 16% of men last year compared to 11% of women.

Last year, 27% of women vowed to lose weight, compared to 9% of men.

The poll of 2,000 people was conducted by UKTV Style to launch a special month of programmes, Five Steps To A New You, which aim to help viewers keep their New Year resolutions.

UKTV Style commissioning executive Chantal Rutherford Browne said: "Clearly the British public is full of good intentions when it comes to starting the New Year, but far too many people give up at the first hurdle.

"We hope that Five Steps To A New You will offer people all the support and advice they may need to stick to their resolutions in 2005."

Five Steps To A New You begins on UKTV Style on Saturday.

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