A LAST ditch attempt to give Dartmouth a millennium to remember is to be made by the town's chamber of trade after the latest, council-run, committee fell apart on Monday.

Ehthusiasm for extra special celebrations in the town, which is world-famous for its new year partying, appears to be non-existent, apart from the efforts of one hotelier and Christians Together in Dartmouth and District.

Cllr Jack Cutter told the March meeting of the town council on Monday that councillors were barren of any ideas to celebrate.

'The council doesn't appear to have any feelings on the matter. The town cannot hold it's head very high concerning millennium celebrations' he said.

Now chamber chairman David Gent says that, although there is not a lot of time for sensible planning, the chamber will do its best.

'After our success with the new Christmas lights I am sure our committee will rise to the occasion and come up with something to mark the millennium in Dartmouth' he said.

There have been at least three committees set up to organise the celebrations for the town.

Cllr Richard Rendle explained: 'One committee held three meetings and no-one turned up.

'The council should take control. It is clearly within the brief of our publicity and entertainments committee. The event should be organised well,' he told his colleagues.

The latest millennium committee chairman, mayoress Cllr Irene Darby, said she was having to stand down because of ill-health. 'I am sorry that I cannot continue' said Cllr Darby, ' but I have

fulfilled the promise that local schoolchildren would each have a mug presented to them.'

Dartmouth hotelier, Nigel Way, from the Royal Castle Hotel, said he had been trying to discover any plans the council may have made for New Year's Eve but had not had any success.

'We have already got a large sum of money to pay for entertainment and will be raising more during the summer. I will definitely support the chamber in its efforts to plan suitable celebrations.'

The Rev James Bolton, spokesman for Christians Together, said of the millennium:

'We are celebrating 2,000 years of Christianity and not just the usual new year's celebrations.'