More Britons staying home for New Year's

LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Drunkenness, rowdiness and anti-social behavior may be why seven out of 10 people in Britain say they planned to greet the new year at home.

Twenty-percent more of Britons said they would shun pubs, clubs and parties this year, compared to last year, the survey for the Post Office found.

The survey also found that recent bad weather, difficulty finding transportation home and the expense of going out to celebrate on New Year's Day also contributed to more stay-at-home reverlers this year, the Daily Telegraph reported Saturday.

Since the Millennium celebrations, bars have been allowed to stay open all night on New Year's Eve in England and Wales.

Mark Hastings of the British Beer and Pub Association said the perception of New Year's Eve as rowdy was wrong.

"New Year's Eve has been better in terms of anti-social behavior, than the average Friday or Saturday night," he said.

The survey of 1,030 adults was conducted by ICM Research.