If you're not all partied out, a Bradford pub will tomorrow introduce an Irish custom - Women's Christmas. Traditionally, January 6, known in Ireland as Nollaig na mBhan, is a day when men take the back seat and women let their hair down for the mother of all parties! Helen Mead and Jan Winter report.

A GIRLS' night out takes some beating in terms of gossip, laughter and raucous behaviour and O'Neill's Irish pub hopes to recreate the occasion with its new Women's Christmas.

Michelle Couples, manager of O'Neill's on Kirkgate, explains: "The Irish have been celebrating Women's Christmas for well over 200 years. In the past it's been a bit of a treat for the ladies - a day to rest and recuperate, followed by a slap-up meal at the local bar. But in true O'Neill's style we're looking to create the biggest girls' night out the town has ever seen."

She says there has been a resurgence of support for the "all girls' day" among younger, feistier women who don't want to be wined and dined by a fella - they would rather ditch the other half, get together with their girlfriends and party!

Brothers Baljit and Sukhy Singh, of Wrose, enjoy lads' nights out with their mates - and have no objection to their wives doing the same thing.

Says 22-year-old Sukhy: "As long as they're enjoying themselves, that's OK. If men can enjoy themselves, women can, too." And Baljit, 25, says their wives go out with other female members of the family. But if the men and women meet by chance, there's no mixing!

Beverlee Chinn's girls' nights out are well-planned operations. "Now some of my friends have children we meet about once a month, rather than every week.'' Women's nights out are totally different from those with male friends, says 29-year-old Beverlee, who works for airline Cathay Pacific and lives near Otley Road, Bradford. "You let your hair down more with women. And there's safety in numbers, when you're in a group. Some of my nights out might be with my best friend. Groups tend to be a bit better. You have more confidence!"

John Binns, a 19-year-old painter and decorator from Thornton, says: " We do it, so why shouldn't they? I go out every Friday and Saturday night while girlfriend Angela goes on girls' night out at the same time. We meet up now and again but generally leave them to it."

Workmate Lyndon Bentley, 34, of Oakenshaw, says he doesn't go out so often because he's married. His lads' night out is Thursday. Wife Suzanne doesn't go out but if she did, he wouldn't mind. He thinks women in a group can be a bit wild!

Samantha Hughes, 23, a machinist from Undercliffe, who is single, says: "Girls' nights out are great! It's boring going out with men. You can't be yourself and let yourself go. Nine of us go out and have done for years. We meet men later on, in nightclubs, after we've had the evening to ourselves and had a good laugh."

Jolene Crosby, 19, mother-of-one, doesn't go out as often as she used to but still tries to have Friday and Saturday nights out. "You lose your inhibitions with a group of girls. You have to behave yourself with men. Girls' nights out are becoming more popular. My boyfriend has lads' nights out but if we met them, we'd hide or go the other way!"

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