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NEARLY three quarters of Australians hope to see in the New Year with a bang.

A survey shows three out of four will be looking to "hook up" with someone on Thursday night.

According to adult dating site RedHotPie.com.au, almost half the people surveyed have admitted having a one night stand on New Years Eve.

And so desperate are they to have sex, 48 per cent have admitted sleeping with a friend as part of their New Year's celebrations.

Some were not happy to stop with just the one partner, with thirteen per cent saying they had been involved in a threesome, and 11 per cent in a "moresome".

Australians are also optimistic about their chances, with 68 per cent saying their chances of a sexual encounter are better than this time last year.

RedHotPie.com.au spokesman Geoff Barker said excessive alcohol consumption was a major factor in ridding people of sexual inhibitions.

"It's not surprising so many of us end up in bed with one or more friends after consuming copious amounts of drink on New Year's Eve," Mr Barker said.

"Over a third of our respondents are planning to spend more than $100 on booze this evening.

"When you combine this with reflection on the past 12 months and our hopes for the future, it's very easy to seek comfort and contact from those close to you."

Of the 1,615 people surveyed by RedHotPie.com.au, 56 per cent said they would be happy to have sex anywhere, while 12 per cent said they were hoping for a beach rendezvous, and 10 per cent a tryst at home.

"If you do sleep with a friend, make sure you talk about it, when sober, as soon as possible to agree how you both want to move forward," Mr Barker said.

"You never know, what started out as a drunken episode, could be the beginning of something more special for 2010 and beyond."