HIP, hip hooray, we're 1,000 today.

The Citizen is celebrating its own millennium after bringing you news, views and reviews for more than 19 years.

And we'll be here to take you all the way into the New Millennium and beyond, carrying on the good name which has earned us respect and standing throughout the community.

Even Darren Day, star of Blackpool show Summer Holiday, knows reading the Citizen is the best way to catch up on his entertainment news.

"Congratulations to the Citizen on its 1,00th edition," he said. "Its entertainment coverage is invaluable in giving much-needed coverage of Blackpool's live shows."

Other Fylde figureheads in the town have been rushing to give their congratulations. Pleasure Beach managing director Geoffrey Thompson enthuseded: "We have always felt the Citizen is a very supportive local paper, the kind of thing people want to read. Under the editorship of Bob Gray it has gone from strength to strength and long may it continue."

Ivan Taylor, leader of Blackpool Borough Council, commented: "The Citizen is doing a great job for the people of Blackpool, keeping them informed of what is going on in a fair and objective way. I am happy to be one of the readers and welcome the contribution it is making."

A thought echoed by Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden who said: "I'm delighted that the Citizen is celebrating its millennium - and I'm sure, unlike other millenniums, there won't be any controversy about it.

"I congratulate the Citizen on the way it's able to get across local issues to a wide range of people, reaching all groups in the community where it's made a significant contribution to the sources of help, information and advice that Blackpool people receive."

His Blackpool North and Fleetwood counterpart Joan Humble added: "I'd like to congratulate the Citizen on providing an excellent mix of local news features and information that meets local needs in a lively and interesting way."

And Fylde MP Michael Jack was eqaully impressed. "What a significant achievement," he said. "A thousand editions of free news means the Citizen has now become a regular and real fixture in Fylde communications. The Citizen does a very good job in keeping people informed of local news and retail affairs."

Sporting coverage was praised by Gill Bridge, managing director of Blackpool Football. She said: "Congratulations to the Citizen on the 1,000th issue. The Citizen has always been a great supporter of Blackpool FC and we wish them every success for many more issues."

Fylde Mayor Anne Smith commented: "The Citizen certainly gets involved in local issues and there is a balance between all three boroughs.

"It is sometimes the only local information people get and as a free newspaper it's pretty good."

Her Wyre counterpart Robert Sharrock simply wished the Citizen "many congratulations on its 1,000th issue and I hope this success continues in the future."

Likewsie Jane Seddon, head of Blackpool tourism, who commented: "Congratulations on the publication of the 1,000th edition of the Citizen. Wishing you all every success for the future."

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