TOWN Hall bosses are trying to make sure the Millennium Bug doesn't bite in Bury.

The local authority has underlined its commitment to beating the clock by signing up to Pledge 2000.

The organisation aims to bring together a wide variety of groups and organisations to share information and tackle the problem.

Councillor Cath Platt, information technology spokesman, said: "Our own plans are well advanced and on schedule. We intend to ensure that all our systems and working practices are not affected by the Millennium Bug.

"When the clock strikes midnight to herald the start of the new century, we are determined there will be little or no effect on the services we provide."

She added: "However, not everyone seems to have realised the potential for problems and it is fair to say that in some quarters there is still complacency. "We are convinced that if everyone works together problems can be kept to a minimum, but we have got to start acting together now.

"Some 250 organisations including the Government, the Bank of England and many of the UK's leading businesses have already signed up to Pledge 2000 so we are in good company.

"As well as asking our own staff to be vigilant about the Millennium Bug problem, we will also be encouraging our suppliers and other companies throughout the borough to do the same."

As previously reported in the Bury Times, Bury has set aside £650,000 to tackle the potential crisis, including taking on staff at a premium should things go wrong.

Last year the District Auditor said that the authority was lagging behind in its preparations, but the council is now on track.

Council leader Derek Boden, who signed the Pledge 2000 on behalf of the local authority, added: "There is a great deal of speculation about what will happen at the turn of the Millennium. We believe that it is no good just talking about it and that is why we have given our commitment to work with others to ensure a smooth transition into the year 2000."

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