PEOPLE celebrating New Year's Eve in Oxford have been warned to plan ahead if they want to avoid being stranded in the city after a decision was made not to run any night bus services.

Police have warned party-goers to plan a way to get home or book a taxi ahead of time when welcoming in the New Year next Sunday.

Neither Stagecoach nor Oxford Bus Company will be running night buses.

The firms say that it is to give staff time off to join in the celebrations and prepare for timetable changes in the New Year.

Police spokesman Kate Smith said: "It is unfortunate that the buses will stop before midnight, particularly since a lot of people will be trying to get home in the early hours.

"We would advise people going out on New Year's Eve to plan how they are going to get home so that they are not left stranded."

Karen Crossan, the manager of the city-centre Nightsafe partnership, said: "We are concerned that people are not aware that the buses will stop running before midnight which will have implications on their night.

"We are concerned about how people will get home and we advise them to plan their journey before setting out to celebrate New Year's Eve."

Police have also warned revellers not to walk home on their own and to book a trip back home with a reputable taxi firm in advance.

Simon Mathieson, Stagecoach Oxford's local bus manager, said: "New Year's Eve falls on a Sunday every seven years and it was decided to allow our drivers to finish a little bit earlier so we can all be ready for the service changes on January 2, as well as enjoying the celebrations.

"We wanted to let everyone know as soon as possible so they can make alternative arrangements to get home safely after a night of partying."

The regular Sunday daytime services will be running.

The move to stop night services will mean taxis are at a premium.

But local firms have said they will do what they can to pick up extra customers.

Saj Malik, of 24 Seven Taxis, said: "We have plenty of people who will work. We are not short of any drivers.

"There will be an increase in fares, but only by a couple of pounds."