FIRMS will next week be offered advice on how to deal with the potentially catastrophic millennium timebomb.

Experts fear major computer breakdowns when the year 2000 arrives because some hardware and software won't be able to recognise the new date.

A seminar is being staged by the Lancashire Defence Project at Shaw Hill Golf and Country Club, Whittle-le-Woods on Tuesday.

"No business can afford to ignore this issue," said David Nicholls of Enterprise plc, which is organising the seminar on behalf of the partnership.

Speakers including Ken Evans of Enterprise plc, Ross Parsell of Datel Defence and John Wain of Solstice Consulting.

Further details from Maria Weir on 01772 203020.

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