EAST Lancashire will be the only part of the North West where no official events will be staged at midnight on New Year's Eve.
No organised events have been arranged in any of the town centres in the area - yet elsewhere in the North West thousands of people will be gathering and firework displays will be marking the start of the year 2000.
Council leaders in Blackburn and Darwen said they decided not to arrange a town centre event after advice from the emergency services.
But Burnley Council leader Stuart Caddy said no such advice had been given in Burnley and there was no specific reason why nothing had been arranged.
In Blackburn and Darwen there will be a beacon lit at the Cathedral and a fireworks display - but unlike elsewhere council chiefs will not say where the display will be, only that they will be set off from a key vantage point so residents will be able to see them.
Celebrations in Hyndburn have been put off until January 9 when there will be a millennium fun day in Accrington town centre.
Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "We felt there would already be enough celebrations over the weekend. At a time when people are away we felt it would be better to organise something when people are in Hyndburn."
The following events have been organised elsewhere in the North West:
Manchester: An event for 20,000 people at the Castlefield Arena with video screens and fireworks headlined by Ian Brown, formerly of the Stone Roses.
Leeds: A ring of bonfire beacons encircling the city and a worship and praise event with mime, choirs, poetry and drama.
Liverpool: Street entertainment and funfair at St George's Plateau and Cream 2000 event for 30,000 featuring DJs Fat Boy Slim, Pete Tong, Paul Oakenfold and Sasha as well as bands Orbital, Space the Lightening Seeds and the Stereophonics.
Lancaster: A special beacon lighting and bell ringing ceremony to mark the new year at the Priory Churchyard.
Blackpool: Countdown, fireworks and millennium illuminations at Talbot Square and on the Promenade.
Sheffield: Street entertainment, disco and firework display in the city centre.
Bolton: A firework display in the town centre at midnight.
Preston: A gathering in the Flag Market and countdown to the millennium
See OPINION
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