Malton landlords have warned that this New Year's Eve could be a flop - and say it is all part of a "stay-at-home" culture threatening the licensed trade.

New Year's Eve 1999 was probably one of the most-hyped nights out ever, with clubs, pubs and taxi firms charging sky high prices.

But punters voted with their feet and their wallets, by refusing to pay extra and staying at home.

And Norman Frank, boss at the Cross Keys in Wheelgate, believes the same thing could not only happen this New Year but become a regular thing, as people get used to the benefits of staying at home.

Mr Frank said: "People just weren't going to come out last year, with not only clubs charging but pubs as well, so they thought 'let's go to the off-licence and stay at home'.

"That is exactly what they did, they had a great time and this could easily happen again. I think that for the next two years or so we could see a similar thing happening, and that would be a real problem for the licensed trade.

"The festive season was always spent in pubs, not staying at home drinking, but they are going to have to do something exceptional to get people out, that's for sure," Mr Frank added.

Malcolm "Lofty'" Braithwaite, landlord at the Royal Oak, said the stay-at-home culture was down to a general change in trends.

He was unsure whether this New Year would be a flop, but described Malton last year as "a ghost town".

He said: "Look at some of the deals these supermarkets are offering on their beer - I can't buy it from the brewery for that, it is so cheap.

"You can't blame someone for wanting to buy it cheaper then stay at home and drink it - but it is killing the pub trade off."

And the two landlords were backed by Roger Smith, president of Malton, Norton and District Licensed Victuallers' Association.

He said: "Without a doubt, there is a stay-at-home culture developing. It has been going on for some time, but was first really noticed last New Year, when there were places that were quiet.

"It is difficult to say what will happen this time, but I think there could well be a 'rub-off', as the people who did stay at home say 'well, we enjoyed it, why not do it again'."

Mr Smith, landlord at Old Malton's Wentworth Arms for 30 years, added: "It is putting the licensed trade at risk, and I feel for anyone just starting out - they are going to have to think hard and long about the problem."

reporters@ycp.malton.fsnet.co.uk