Partygoers set for a big night out at Duke's nightclub have been left dressed up with nowhere to go as its millennium bash has been cancelled.

What promised to be one of the best New Year's Eve parties has been called off.

The Chelmsford nightclub decided to close its doors to the public due to lack of interest.

Tickets were cut from £75 to £50 to try to boost sales, but Duke's has decided to cut its losses and offer all current ticket holders a full refund.

This is the first time in 16 years that the New Year's Eve gig at Duke's, which takes nearly 1,400 people, has not been a sell-out.

Manager Martyn Stokes said: "If the club is not full, we cannot provide the best and if we cannot do something properly, we will not do it at all."

He said there were several reasons for poor ticket sales including rumours that tickets were three times their actual price, that the event was already a sell-out, concerns over transport, and the fact that many people were choosing to see in the millennium with their families.

Meanwhile, Zeus in Chelmsford is offering 1,250 tickets at £75 each and has already sold nearly 400.

Manager Edward Walters said the Duke's admission price had been high. "If people are going to spend £40 on drinks then it starts getting expensive."

He said of Duke's cancellation: " We can't fill more than our capacity, so it won't really benefit us."

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