New Year's Eve revellers may be in for a costly surprise tonight as one in three pubs in Oxford's city centre plan to charge an entrance fee.

Clubs and pubs across the city are bracing themselves for a busy New Year's Eve, with thousands expected to see in the New Year.

But what some drinkers may not realise is that many pubs are charging between £2 and £15 to gain entry.

Landlords and bar managers have defended the move, claiming it is a necessary part of controlling the number of people coming through the door.

Laurie Othen, manager of Bar Risa in Hythe Bridge Street, said: "New Year's Eve is unlike any other night of the year and you get large numbers of people all wanting to be in the same place at midnight to celebrate with all their friends.

"We will make hardly any profit from the door charge. It's just a way of being able to control numbers."

Bar Risa will be charging £6 on the door, £2 of which goes to children's charities at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Bar Med in St Ebbe's Street is charging £10 on the door, while The Bullingdon Arms in Cowley Road is asking £6 to gain entry to its themed boogie night in its backroom.

The Cock and Camel in George Street is expecting several hundred people to pass through its doors during the night and has extended its opening hours until 1am. It will be charging revellers £5 on the door.

The Exeter Hall pub in Oxford Road, Cowley, is charging £10 on the door while the Jolly Farmers pub, in Paradise Street, in the city centre, is charging £13, which includes champagne on arrival and at midnight, as well as a 3am breakfast.

Entrance to Yates's Wine Lodge in George Street will set partygoers back £5, as will entry to the Duke of Cambridge cocktail bar in Little Clarendon Street.

The Kassam Stadium is playing host to a big-name drum and bass night that could be Oxford's biggest New Year's Eve party, with up to 2,000 people expected to attend. Star attraction is drum and bass DJ Shy FX.