High prices at pubs and clubs put off many revellers

Eight out of 10 people questioned by credit card provider Mint said they wanted to stay at home to avoid high prices and public transport problems.

But figures suggest �4bn will still be spent on the night, with people shelling out an average of �90.

Revellers in Scotland are expected to fork out the most, with people preparing to spend �147 for Hogmanay.

'Backlash'

A spokeswoman for Mint, who interviewed 2,000 people across Britain, said: "We can see significant apathy about New Year's Eve.

There seems to be a backlash against going out to bars and clubs and anything that feels like a rip-off Spokesman for Mint

"There seems to be a backlash against going out to bars and clubs and anything that feels like a rip-off."

Figures show that men are likely to spend �106 each with women splashing out �71 - people aged 25 to 34 will spend �133 each.

Edinburgh was chosen as the most popular place for people to spend New Year.

Around 100,000 people are expected to gather in the city's Princes Street Gardens for the Hogmanay festivities.

Edinburgh City Council have put on a special open-air concert featuring Blondie and the Scissor Sisters.

Light show

Organisers expect around 150,000 Londoners to gather on the Embankment and South Bank to witness a �1m firework display and light show.

The London Eye will be lit up as part of the extravaganza, which is designed to fit in with the capital's bid for the 2012 Olympics.

Thousands of people are also expected to congregate in Parliament Square but police are discouraging revellers from congregating in Trafalgar Square.

But across Britain there is a rather more sedate approach to New Year's Day, with 46% saying they would use the day off to "get some fresh air with a long walk".

The next most popular activities were going out with friends for brunch (36%) and heading to the January sales (21%).