THE race to spend a 'Million for the Millennium' hotted up this week with the formal launch of the city council's capital challenge scheme.

Over the next four years there will be £1 million in the kitty to spend on the ideas generated by local people to improve the quality of life and the environment.

A number of ideas have already been suggested including tree planting, new play areas, sea front gardens, rollerblading area, traffic calming and improvements to back streets.

"Even prior to the formal launch of this new project, we have been overwhelmed by the response to Million for the Millennium," said council leader, Stanley Henig. "There have been over 50 enquiries and 17 detailed proposals. They include some great ideas and I am looking forward to seeing many different schemes take shape. Million for the MIllennium is a real community project. It is about local people making a lasting difference and all ideas are welcome."

Easy to complete application forms are all that's needed to apply and they can be obtained by calling the special hotline on 582150.

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