H0LCOMBE Hill was at the centre of the borough's millennium celebrations with a huge beacon bonfire which lit up the night sky.

Ten thousand people made their way up Holcombe Hill late on New Year's Eve to celebrate the new Millennium.

And organisers said the tremendous success of the event exceeded all their expectations.

Mr John Arnott, member of Ramsbottom Millennium Beacon Group, said: "One person came up to me and said that had he spent thousands of pounds flying on Concorde to celebrate the millennium, he would still not have had as good a time as he was having on Holcombe Hill."

A torchlit procession made its way up the hill at 8pm. School children lit the bonfire and fireworks were left off.

"It will be a night that will be remembered by young and old for many years to come," said Mr Arnott.

He added: "The community spirit and atmosphere was tremendous - from the children who formed part of the pagan-like procession and lit the giant bonfire to the other people, many of whom were more than 80-years-old, who were determined to make their mark at the end of the 20th century."

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