BUSINESSES in East Lancashire were today warned : "This is your last chance!"

The Government's campaign to make sure firms are not plunged into chaos by the Millennium bug is focusing on the county where 35 per cent of small firms are in serious danger.

Thousands of firms will be receiving a a new guide next week on what they can do in the three months left before the end of the year.

"The guide will help mid-sized companies in Lancashire who have yet to address the bug issue," said Don Cruickshank, chairman of Action 2000.

"It offers them short cuts that may help minimise risk to their business."

Unless firms take action now there is a serious risk that their businesses could he badly hit by the bug - caused because computers cannot cope with the date change. "No matter how thorough the preparations no one is absolutely safe. That is why it is essential that the unexpected is taken into consideration and businesses have robust contingency plans in place," said Mr Cruickshank.

A recent survey found that 35 per cent of local firms with under 250 employees had not done enough to tackle the bug.

"The wait and see attitude of many businesses is a dangerous strategy and one that will lead to disaster."

The 'Last Chance' guide provides information on where firms can go for help, advice on the legal responsibilities of managers and examples of worst case scenarios.

"We have a responsibility to ensure that every company in the UK is alerted to how to protect their business from risk of disruption from the bug.

"This is why we have taken the unprecedented step of mailing 1.3 million senior managers from small and medium sized firms."

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