MORE than 200 companies in the area have taken advantage of Business Link Warrington's Millennium Bug Busting seminars and now the Government has made more money available so the courses are now extended to the end of June.

The opportunity has been extended to businesses throughout Halton as well as Warrington. To cope, some courses are being run during the evenings and at weekends.

In two parts, the courses are free and advise firms how to check their systems and then how to make them compliant. The courses are certificated and the qualification can be used to show a company has addressed the problem.

Andrew Bayley of Dawsons Music in Warrington said he had found the course "enlightening." He said: "I found this course dealt with realities. It showed how there are going to be problems but it was not scaremongering, just a practical guide. The CD Rom and other discs we were given have been of great value."

Jeanette Lowe of Anderson Baille agreed and said she had found the course informative and reassuring."

George Tickle of Rock Oil Company, said: "I'm an IT virgin and I found the course informative, concise and clear. I understood and we are now contacting all our suppliers to ensure they are compliant."

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