New Year revellers need to plan ahead if they want to avoid being stranded in Oxford after a decision was made not to run night bus services.

Police and Nightsafe have warned party-goers to plan a way to get home or book a taxi beforehand when welcoming in the new year next Sunday.

Neither Stagecoach or Oxford Bus Company will be running a night bus during their Sunday service to ensure staff can have time off to join in the celebrations and prepare for timetable changes in the new year.

Police spokesman Kate Smith said: "It's 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 they're not left stranded."

Police have also warned revellers not to walk home alone and to book with a reputable taxi firm in advance.

Nightsafe manager Karen Crossan said: "We're concerned that people are not aware that the buses will stop running before midnight.

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

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.

Meanwhile, taxi firms have vowed they are ready 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 a couple of pounds."

A spokesman for City Taxis said a Bank Holiday city council tariff would apply for all taxi firms in Oxford.

He said: "We will have a full fleet out and the tariff will be slightly higher. Even if there were buses we would still have 50 black cabs."

Police are also warning drinkers they will be policing the city centre issuing £80 fines for disorder.