INTREPID runners are being challenged to run across the bridge - to celebrate the year 2000.

A Run the Bridge Road Race is just one of a range of millennium events being suggested by Halton Council.

Local community groups will be invited to take part in various other projects.

Lots of ideas have been put forward in response to a council mailshot, sent to voluntary organisations last year.

The Millennium Youth Forum is hoping to produce a poetry CD and anthology and set up a mask gallery.

It would also like to take part in an inter-generation project and an environmental project.

A people's garden is to be created in Victoria Park and Norton Priory Museum Trust will be inviting schools to help plant 2,000 oak trees in Halton.

Other suggestions include renaming streets to celebrate Halton's celebrities, past and present.

A heritage resource pack is also being put together.

A week-long celebration will mark the grand finale at the Auto Quest Stadium.

"This would be community based and would adopt the theme of looking forward to create even better communities," said a Halton Council spokeswoman.

"To help in the organisation of all these events, a millennium celebration tool kit has been produced by the council to help local groups arrange their celebrations."

Halton's schools are taking part in a national initiative called Voices of Promise, a celebration of musical talent.

Children have been invited to compose an anthem. Successful schools will have their song recorded and performed in the Millennium Dome.

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