Thousands of revellers across Bradford will miss out on a giant Millennium Eve bash.

There will be NO official event to mark the dawn of the year 2000, the Telegraph & Argus can reveal today.

Bradford Council has ditched plans for an open-air party in Centenary Square on the advice of police, who have warned of public-safety risks.

The council says if it ignores the advice it would not have insurance cover - even if it brought in private stewards.

Police have issued the same advice to Leeds, Halifax, Huddersfield and other major towns and cities.

But the same fears have not affected some - Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, Bristol and Newcastle have all organised events, many working with the police.

Today West Yorkshire Assistant Chief Constable Steve Smith said they were acting responsibly and could not have guaranteed public safety.

He said there would have been "enormous potential for disorder" with thousands of people who had been drinking, congregating in areas which may be unsuitable.

The decision has sparked criticism from businesses and residents, who said there should have been an event the city could remember. Council leader Councillor Ian Greenwood said: "Hundreds of people are going to be disappointed about the position West Yorkshire Police have adopted

"We are not over the moon because we wanted something which could be remembered for many years.

"I do think we could have had a happy and properly run event which could have been enjoyed but at the end of the day we have to take this advice."

Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe said: "I think it is sad that Bradford is a city which won't have a celebration but I do understand the need for public safety."

Jeff Frankel, chairman of Bradford Retail Action Group, said: "I agree with Coun Greenwood but I am surprised the police on this very special occasion could not have put in the extra effort and resources."

Businessman John Pennington said he thought it was "miserly madness" over police resources.

Mr Pennington, owner of Maestro's nightclub and former owner of the Midland Hotel, said: "I think it is a total let-down. We are supposed to be trying to be a 24-hour city and here was a golden opportunity we could have grabbed with both hands."

But Mr Smith said no police officers were on leave over the Millennium or New Year and emergency services were always stretched with the normal celebrations.

"We are all in favour of the Millennium being celebrated, although it is inevitable we were going to be called killjoys."

But he said the police preferred "community spirit" types of events.

"There is a nice feeling to the idea of celebrating with hundreds of other people, but the potential for disorder is enormous."

He said anyone who has visited Trafalgar Square or Edinburgh before their New Year events would realise the high level of experience and resources invested to make them safe.

"We don't have the experience," he said.

Mr Smith said all West Yorkshire councils had co-operated. "We have taken a very responsible attitude." A Leeds Council spokesman said they were encouraging people to celebrate in their own communities and ten community beacon events were being organised to create a ring of fire around the city.

"We are committed to working with the police and health service to ensure the people have a fun, memorable and safe start to the Millennium."

Earlier this year, the T&A carried out a survey of readers asking them how they wanted to celebrate.

The response was poor, with only 20 per cent of those in the poll wanting a city centre party.

Bradford Council has allocated £20,000 for group projects to mark the Millennium year and the Millennium Challenge Scheme is part funding the events through grants.

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