THE countdown to the year 2000 officially began in Earby when the Rev Stephen Heap switched on the Millennium Clock - although the weather forced him to unveil the plaque inside instead of outside.

But the rain did not dampen the spirits of the hundreds of people who turned up for the autumn fair.

Pendle Mayor Councillor Edwina Sargeant and Pendle MP Gordon Prentice also attended the unveiling of the clock, which hangs on the gable end of the Earby New Road Community Centre.

There were 21 stalls run by local voluntary groups and a grand calendar draw.

Children had fun looking at the inside of a fire engine and testing equipment as well as playing on the bouncy castle.

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