AS the clock struck midnight to mark the start of 2006, the skies above Bolton lit up with fireworks.

While hundreds celebrated at pubs and clubs in the town centre, thousands of others chose to stay at home with family and friends - and marked the event with fireworks.

In the town centre, police said the number of drinkers was no more than on a normal Saturday night.

Some pubs were charging for entry but, as the night progressed, many reduced their admission prices.

Churchgate and Bradshawgate were lively, but many bars closed their doors as usual between 2am and 3am.

Extra police patrols were on duty, particularly in Victoria Square.

Around 200 turned up to watch the town hall clock strike twelve.

Police reported a dozen arrests for drunkness and public disorder offences.

Insp Phil Spurgeon, who was in charge of the police operation on the night, said: "We made a dozen arrests which was less than I would have expected for New Year's Eve and overall, the policing operation went well.

"We had no serious problems in the town centre during the evening."

The only serious incident reported was an incident in the Flying Shuttle pub in Highfield Road, Farnworth where a 33-year-old Bolton man had a glass jabbed in his face.