BENTHAM'S long awaited and very much debated millennium project at the School Hill amenity area was officially opened on Friday and, as befitted the scheme, it was done in style.

Tom Guy, local barber, wit and poet to name but a few of his attributes, was master of ceremonies on a perfect night with the whole area bathed in sunshine.

He welcomed everyone and introduced the project chairman, Wendy Dowbiggin.

He said Miss Dowbiggin had devoted a great deal of her life to a generation of young people in the town, reminding them of the time she served as youth club leader.

He went on to recall the various committees on which Miss Dowbiggin served and her term as mayor, when the School Hill project was first suggested and taken on board by a group of dedicated volunteers.

Miss Dowbiggin said it was a momentous occasion for her and she considered it a great honour to open the amenity area.

She explained the history and background of the area - which used to house the public toilets until they were moved into the car park last year.

Once the toilets were relocated ideas began springing up about what to do with the area. Public meetings were held and a mosaic was suggested. This proved a popular idea and soon nationally-recognised mosaic artist Maggy Howarth, of nearby Wennington, was hard at work on a centrepiece for the amenity area.

Miss Dowbiggin thanked her committee, the funders, including the Rural Development Programme and Bentham Town Council, the designer Maggy Howarth, staff and pupils at the primary school and library staff and clients for their patience while work was in progress.

She also thanked the school crossing lady for her cheerfulness throughout and town councillors for their support. She paid tribute to contractors Brown and Whittaker and subcontractors for their work.

Miss Dowbiggin told the Herald: "It is built to last a long, long time. It is our legacy to the next generation in Bentham.

"What we might do now over the next year is put in more seating. The schoolchildren are also involved as they are going to do a project about keeping the garden areas nice."

The focal point of the £49,000 project is the mosaic, which was specially designed to depict Bentham. It features the river, a white rose for Yorkshire, flames to represent the town's largest employer Angus Fire, weaving to reflect Bentham's past as a mill town, animals to show the agricultural aspect of Bentham and a cross to represent the churches.

Miss Dowbiggin stressed that the community had been responsible for the project reaching fruition and she was sure everyone would enjoy the area for years to come.

The Mayor, Jean West, congratulated everyone involved and planted a commemorative tree and High Bentham Primary School choir, led by Jane Whittam and accompanied by Libby Wheildon, entertained the audience.

They were followed by the Churches Together Singers accompanied by Kirkby Lonsdale Brass Band, which also played a programme of music.