WE got drunk, flitted between a whole host of parties, ate too much and spent a fortune on Christmas presents - and boy, are we suffering for it!

Our festive antics have left us with our pockets empty and our bank balances in the red.

It seems that the extra long holiday at Christmas, the excitement of the approaching Millennium and the early sales have left us penniless - more so than any other year.

Shoppers at the McArthurGlen designer shopping outlet at York and the Monks Cross Shopping Centre admitted they did not have the money to spend and had never been so "broke".

They said they were resorting to plastic to keep their heads above water as the New Year pennies began to be pinched.

Emma Rigby, 23, of Acomb, who said she was buying "necessities" at Monks Cross Shopping Centre, said her financial situation was "dire straits".

"I just got my Visa bill through and it's about £100 more than I expected. I seemed to have spent so much on Christmas presents, much more than usual."

Joseph Parker, 32, of Huntington, said he had spent "far too much money partying" over Christmas.

"I had Christmas week off and I went out every night. I just got into the festive spirit and did not think about the consequences and now I'm broke."

Similarly, John Matthews, 28, of Selby, who was dashing between sandwich shops, said earlier in the week he had contemplated taking a packed lunch to the office because he was so skint.

"I couldn't believe it when I got my statement through. I think I was probably a little too carefree at Christmas, buying huge rounds at the bar and everything."

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