The Millennium Commission today urged Bradford to get its act together and apply for funding to ensure this year's New Year's Eve celebrations go off with a bang, not a whimper.

The Council came under fire last year after it failed to hold an official celebration for residents to welcome in the new Millennium.

It did not apply for a share of £6 million put up for grabs by the Commission and left people with no option but to organise their own small-scale events.

Other large cities such as Liverpool and Newcastle did apply for funding and used the cash to stage lavish celebrations featuring laser shows and firework displays.

Now the Millennium Commission is encouraging Bradford to take up its latest offer of funding by including it on a list of 41 towns and cities invited to apply for grants from a £6 million pot to organise celebrations on December 31, 2000.

Council leader Ian Greenwood said: "We probably did look at applying for a Millennium Commission grant last year, but there were difficulties regarding policing.

"As a Council, if there is some money waiting we will make a bid to try to get it."

The celebrations in Liverpool - part-funded by the Millennium Commission grant - attracted 250,000 people and generated £16 million for the local economy.

Asked whether he thought the people of Bradford had missed out on the Millennium Eve fun and prosperity because of the Council's failure to apply for a grant, Councillor Greenwood said: "I don't want to turn a good news story into a bad news story."

John Watson, chairman of Bradford's Business Link, said: "I am surprised that we chose not to bid for millennium party funds but if Bradford tries to mount a big celebration at the end of this year it will be seen as too late.''

Peter Jeffers, deputy manager of the Hilton hotel in Bradford's city centre, said: "A large scale public event would be fantastic and we would want to partake in that."

Smaller grants of between £500 and £5,000 will be available for community groups. For details call 0845 600 2040.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.