THE organisers of Tyneside's New Year celebrations are expecting a record turnout on December 31.

Newcastle has joined forces with Gateshead to provide 38,000 places for revellers - 2,000 more than last year.

The celebrations will span both sides of the river, the bond between which has been strengthened by the Gateshead Millennium Bridge. Gateshead also boasts Baltic Square, which hosted a proms concert earlier this year.

The town and its city neighbours have joined forces in a bid to become the European City of Culture, in 2008.

Partygoers will be able to join in the festivities, that start at 4pm, by getting special wristbands that will guarantee them a place in the huge crowd.

Gateshead Borough Council leader George Gill said: "We are looking forward to seeing people enjoy the programme of events in Baltic Square for the first time and creating the biggest and undoubtedly the best night of celebration in England.''

The wristbands are available in special voucher packs that include money-saving offers for the International Centre for Life, Newcastle Telewest Arena and Theatre Royal.

Single voucher packs with one free wristband cost £6.99 and group voucher packs with four free wristbands cost £20.99. They are available from Newcastle and Gates-head tourist information centres and Nexus Travelshops.

For more information about festivities, call the event hotline on 0191-277 8000, Nexus Traveline on (0870) 6082608 or log on to www.NewYearsEveNewcastle.com