THE Minster bells tolled midnight - and huge crowds cheered as York greeted the dawning of 2006.

Thousands of people gathered outside York's historic Minster to greet the New Year, accompanied by pealing bells and fireworks.

Many people dressed up in fancy dress, with eye-catching costumes including pop stars of previous decades, a leopard, and notorious York highwayman Dick Turpin.

Isabel Mason, 25, from York, was at the Minster to greet the New Year, along with a group of friends who were all in fancy dress.

Isabel, dressed as Jane Austen, said: "We come every year. There's always a good atmosphere."

Katie Pask, 26, from Bootham, was at the Minster with her partner Alex Randall - the couple's first New Year as civil partners after tying the knot under new laws.

"I love it here," said Katie, dressed as the Snow Queen. "It's traditional in York. This is the first year it hasn't snowed."

Meanwhile, the city's pubs and clubs were packed to the rafters with hundreds of revellers partying the night away.

Dozens of police officers were out patrolling the streets to keep an eye out for trouble, but a force spokesman said only a small handful of people were arrested for "rowdy behaviour" across the city and North Yorkshire.

By 10.30pm on Saturday, queues had already formed outside some nightspots, including Nexus bar on Rougier Street where about a hundred people were waiting to be let in.

As 2005 drew to a close, nearly 300 people were enjoying their last drinks of the year in The Capital bar on Ousegate, while New Year tickets for the nearby Living Room had all but sold out.

Saturday night's revellers included 20-year-old Alice Kevans, from York, who was on her way to McMillans bar on Rougier Street to see in 2006. She and a group of friends dressed up as cats for the occasion.

Alice, 20, said she intended to stay out in York until closing time.

Mark Jackson, 24, from Stamford Bridge, was enjoying his first New Year in York.

"The atmosphere has been very good here," he said. "Everyone seems in good spirits."

Craig Burton and Lisa Parnaby, both 26, travelled to York from Guernsey to see in 2006.

Lisa said: "I think York's a special place to see in the New Year."

Updated: 09:38 Monday, January 02, 2006