New Year's Eve will be one of the biggest party nights of the year in Oxford - and there will be no buses running.

It is extraordinary that neither of Oxford's major two companies will have late buses running on one of the busiest nights of the year.

Compare this to the situation down the road in Reading where the major bus company will be running its normal Saturday late-night service - and travel is free.

Of course, bus drivers deserve some time off like the rest of us. Many thousands will, however, be working in other service industries, in particular in the bars and restaurants.

Taxi drivers will do well but they have no chance of meeting demand. If you are going out on New Year's Eve, we suggest you book one now.