PARTYGOERS in Bolton could be dancing in the street to mark the Millennium . . . for two and a half days!

Town centre nightclubs Club Mondo and The Temple are planning to organise a gigantic street carnival.

It would begin at midnight on December 31 and finish at 6pm on Monday, January 3.

Huge marquees would be put up outside the clubs on St George's Street.

The idea is for the event to be licensed throughout . . . although during the day there would be family entertainment, including possibly a funfair.

Mr John Musso, managing director of both clubs, wants to close off the street and is holding talks with Bolton Council.

He said: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime event and we want to celebrate in style." Cllr Cliff Morris, chairman of the council's civic affairs sub committee said: "We have asked Mr Musso to have talks with us. As long as there are no problems with closing the road and the police have no objections, then we would not stand in his way."

It would cost £150 for an adult ticket for the event, while children would be free.

The idea is for a "history of pop" event to be held in the marquees.

Mr Musso said that he would be booking "big names" but the event would also be open to local bands.

But there will definitely not be a big party in Victoria Square to mark the start of the new century. Councillors have stuck to a decision made at the end of the year not to hold an organised New Year's Eve event even though there had been approaches to re-consider.

A report presented to civic affairs sub committee councillors yesterday said staff costs would be too high and police resources could be stretched if there were two town centre events at the same time.

Cllr Morris said: "No doubt people will flock into Victoria Square at midnight as they always do. But we will not be organising an event."

A police spokesman said that all Millennium events were being co-ordinated by one department which will look at each event and put together an overall strategy.

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