ICY winds and driving rain meant many New Year revellers stayed at home, rather than take to the streets.

Police throughout the region said that New Year had passed off relatively uneventfully.

In Darlington, police praised the behaviour of revellers who braved the bitter weather. Officers made just five arrests, mainly for breach of the peace, as many people decided to stay in.

Inspector Andy McGregor-Taylor, of Darlington police, said they were pleased with the general level of order, as compared to two years ago, when 34 arrests were made.

He said: "Many people did not go out and the town was no worse than a normal Saturday night. Everybody seemed intent on enjoying themselves."

Police in Spennymoor and Bishop Auckland also reported relatively quiet nights.

A Bishop Auckland police spokeswoman said: "There were some arrests, but overall it was quiet, and the weather certainly contributed to that."

On Teesside, police reported a relatively quiet night - although three people were injured in two separate stabbing incidents, in Middlesbrough.

The first happened in Eden Road, just after midnight, when two people were stabbed in the leg and chest. Both were taken to Middlesbrough General Hospital for treatment.

Later in the morning, around 3.30am, a third stabbing took place in the town moor area, when a person was stabbed in the head and arms.

None of the injuries was life-threatening.

The blizzards failed to keep the crowds at home on New Year's Eve and 30,000 attended events on Newcastle's quayside. A further 2,000 went to musical and firework displays in the city's Haymarket and 8,000 followed a spectacular parade through the city,

A Northumbria Police spokesman said yesterday: "Thecelebrations were a great success and people weren't put off by the weather.

"Despite the numbers, there were no more arrests than on an average Saturday night."