BUSINESSES in Lancashire are confident of beating the millennium bug.

A survey out today found that 75 per cent of firms with between 10 and 249 employees believed they were prepared for the millennium date change and expect no disruption.

Businesses in the North West are also not too concerned about supplies being disrupted with 63 per cent confident there will be no problems.

"The figures are extremely encouraging. We are confident that four fifths of small and medium sized enterprises across the UK can now be classified as on course to complete their Year 2000 preparations," said Don Cruickshank, chairman of Action 2000.

But Mr Cruickshank urged businesses not to be complacent.

"Although time is limited there is still much these companies can do to ensure their business against the Millennium Bug. By taking simple steps with their contingency plans such as backing up essential data and communicating with staff, customers and suppliers these business can dramatically improve their trading prospects for the Year 2000."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.