While mulling over their own New Year's resolutions, NATALYA WILSON and EMMA HARRISON spoke to some of the region's figureheads and celebrities to discover what they had in mind...

York's award-winning actress Dame Judi Dench said: "I don't make New Year's resolutions because I will probably break them.

"It's a bit like dieting. If you say you're going to do it you won't, but if you keep it to yourself you can quietly get on with it. I probably will make some New Year's resolutions but I'll be keeping quiet about them!"

Lord Mayor of York, Coun Shan Braund, said: "I make a New Year's resolution every year to recycle more materials than the year before. I do recycle most things. Last new year, I vowed to recycle tins which I have managed to do religiously. This year, I'm recycling organic materials and would like to build a really good compost heap in the garden."

Big Ian, frontman of York party band, Huge, said: "My New Year's resolution is to not be as close friends with the sofa, remote control and fridge as I have been."

Terry Dolan, manager of York City Football Club, said: "My New Year's resolution is to be nicer to the sports reporters at the Evening Press!"