CIVIC leaders were left red faced after unveiling their millennium monuments -- more than two years too late.

The embarrassing delay in Barnoldswick's celebrations is the latest in a long line of disasters that have bedevilled the Lancashire town's celebrations of the new century.

Both of Barnoldswick's two main millennium projects, a stone archway in Gisburn Road and a bench in Weets Hill, have been hampered by delays which has meant they could only be unveiled this week.

The original preferred siting for the stone, on a bend in Gisburn Road, was knocked back by the council and police who said it could be dangerous.

The bench could not be put in place because of the foot and mouth restrictions on Weets Hill.

Councillors admitted the problems had caused embarrassment but said it was "better late than never" for the completion of the projects.

Another millennium scheme also caused controversy after the designers of a millennium clock ended up painting the white rose of Yorkshire bigger than the red flower of Lancashire.

And a tapestry made by youngsters at Coates Lane Primary School for the Millennium Dome spent six months gathering dust in a warehouse.

Coates Lane was one of just 17 schools in Lancashire, and the only one in the east of the county, which took part in the project.

The school was sent details of the project, including a video which showed a clip from Blue Peter saying the giant tapestry would "hopefully" be displayed at the Dome before going on show across the country.

It was only when children and staff from Coates Lane visited the Dome that they discovered the tapestry scheme had been shelved and their hard work placed in storage.

Coun Maureen Blackwell said the delays had been unfortunate but impossible to avoid.

She added: "We have had problems with both these projects for one reason or another and it's a shame we couldn't get them in place in time for the millennium. But they are there now and I suppose it is better late than never."

Town councillor David Whipp said: "We've certainly had a lot of publicity surrounding this millennium but that's a positive thing for Barnoldswick.

"If things like this raise our profile, then so much the better."

However, Mike Summersgill-Smith, landlord of the Greyhound Hotel and Inn, Manchester Road, said: "It does seem we are a bit behind the times and I think most people will blame the council, though most people aren't taking it too seriously."