THE streets of Newcastle were almost completely deserted last night on a New Year's Eve like no other.

The public clearly heeded the warnings of both the Government and local police whose message was clear: stay at home to protect each other and the NHS.

The public were urged to “take personal responsibility” by acting like they have coronavirus and staying at home this New Year’s Eve.

People were warned they should not be mixing with other households indoors and that they should avoid large gatherings of any kind.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said people “cannot let up” now in the fight against the virus, with the health service under strain from increasing numbers of Covid-19 patients.

A Government advertising campaign to “See in the New Year safely at home” ran throughout Thursday, reminding people of the virus’s easy spread and that around one in three people who have the infection have no symptoms and so could pass it on without realising.