YOUNG and old gathered to unveil a Millennium cross in Turton to mark the new century in unity.

The oldest resident from the villages of Chapeltown and Edgworth, Mrs Jennie Whittaker, aged 91, joined the youngest nursery school girl, Clare Conway, aged four, to dedicate the cross.

The churches from Turton united to bless the York stone cross, costing £5,100.

Balloons were released with goodwill messages from the village.

It is hoped the cross will stand proudly outside the Barlow Institute on Bolton Road in Edgworth for centuries to come.

Inside the base there is a time capsule for future generations to discover containing everyday items from the last century and documents about the people living in the two neighbouring villages -- and even a bottle of miniature whisky.

Villagers have also given the gift of water to the people of the poverty-stricken Nepalese village of Chapkhola.

They raised more more than £2,500 for a fresh water supply to the village.

The Turton villages set up The Chapeltown and Edgworth Millennium Festival fund last year.

Pretty Edgworth and Chapeltown are next to the two large reservoirs of Entwistle and Wayoh, which provide half Bolton's drinking water and inspired them to set up the water project in Nepal.

There are many fun events to come, including a 15-mile Millennium walk from The Barlow Institute on Sunday, September 17, at 10am.

The year will end with a repeat of the successful torch light procession on December 31 at Thomasson Fold -- just as they saw in the year 2000.