Schools in Bradford could face a £2 million bill to stop the Millennium Bug infecting computers and software, according to a shock report.

And they will have to find the money out of their own budgets because Bradford Council will only provide advice, not cash, it emerged.

The gloomy predictions come in a report to next week's education resources and buildings sub-committee, outlining the likely effects on the education department and the district's schools of the Millennium Bug.

The problem will arise on January 1, 2000, when unmodified computer systems will struggle to recognise 2000 as a year and stop working.

Upgrading computer systems removes the risk, and Bradford Council has already undertaken a massive amount of conversion work on its many computer systems.

But in schools, where there are many fairly elderly computers, major problems are anticipated.

The Council report estimates the cost of correcting all the machines could be between £300,000 and £2 million.

It warns that IT networks and school finance systems could fail.

Similar problems will affect computer equipment at education offices

The report also proposes that although education officials will advise schools, it will be up to schools to pay for any modifications. No extra cash is being made available to deal with the problem.

Ian Murch, of the Bradford branch of the National Union of Teachers, said: "I'm sure there will be problems. There are computers of anything up to 15 years old in schools.

"It will need someone to check individually every piece of equipment, each individual piece of software.

"The big worry is the loss of work. Both pupils and teachers have worked stored on computer."

But Mark Newman, head teacher of Denholme First School, dismissed fears. "We have 15 computers and I am not convinced there will be problems," he said.

Assistant director of education Roger Smith said: "Our main priority as far as schools are concerned is to make sure that they are not forced to close because something like the heating system shuts down.

"People should remember it isn't just computers that could be affected when we go into the next century.

"We have already checked the vast majority of non-computer equipment, such as boilers and fire alarms, in schools and the LEA's buildings.

"In virtually all cases, the suppliers have confirmed they will cope with the date change.

"We intend to offer advice to schools about their computers, but any work needed will be their responsibility."

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