THE COUNTY is to stage a dummy run to make sure it can cope with the chaos that may accompany the millennium celebrations.

Exercise Golden Fleece will be held on September 8 and aims to test the links between public utilities, councils, emergency services, health authorities and the military.

Peter Willdridge, Buckinghamshire County Council's emergency planning officer, says the authorities want to ensure they can cope with every eventuality. Thames Valley Police has allocated £1 million to cover the policing of the millennium and all leave has been cancelled.

Mr Willdridge issued a preliminary report last October outlining the risks Millennium Eve could bring. These include thousands of people, many of whom will be drunk, on the streets; more bonfires and fireworks than November 5; and staff shortages in key services.

Mr Willdridge told the council's corporate services committee on Tuesday: "The threat posed by the millennium still remains difficult to assess. However, some areas of concern have abated."

He said that it now looked less likely that there will be problems with gas, electricity, water, telephones, banks, supermarkets and petrol companies.

He said: "As the millennium approaches, rumours about impending emergencies need to be nailed down and sensible advice given."

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