SMALL firms in East Lancashire are being offered help to beat the millennium bug.

A series of workshops is being staged by United Utilities, BNFL and Manweb to help companies make sure their businesses won't be affected by the year 2000 date change.

The workshops are a part of the Government's Action 2000 mentoring scheme where major companies are being asked to pass on their experience to small firms.

"We are all in this together. Big businesses in the region depend on thousands of small businesses to supply goods and services," said Martin Bradbury, who head United Utilities' Year 2000 programme. "If those businesses are not ready for the millennium they could affect our ability to operate. If we help each other to tackle the Year 200 problems we can ensure that it will be business as usual for the North West at the millennium."

Further information from Isabelle Radford on 01925 239044.

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