The organisers of Torpoint's Millennium party have explained why a major fireworks display in the town to mark the start of the new era will be mounted 10 minutes later than those in most other places.

The town's Millennium Committee has been arranging the biggest party ever seen in the town with the climax being an aerial fireworks display from Rendle Park.

But while other towns and cities will be lighting up the sky in a big way at midnight on December 31, Torpoint will be waiting until the Year 2000 is around 10 minutes - to give the Torpoint Ferry time to be well across the River Tamar out of range of any rockets.

Although the party is taking over the ferry lanes for the night, an alternative route is being made available for vehicles wanting to use the ferry service which will be operating the whole time.

"At midnight the new Millennium will be marked by one solitary special firework rocket and the singing of Auld Lang Syne and other songs. We have delayed the main fireworks display, which is being put on by the specialist firework company, Bricknells of Bodmin, because the ferry is due to load and leave at around midnight. We thought this was prudent on safety grounds," said the Millennium celebrations project leader, Roy Roseveare.

"The delay will also give people the chance to celebrate in their own way with hugging and dancing etc for a few minutes."

The party, which is expected to attract up to 4,000 people, is due to start at around 7.30pm in an arena created on the ferry lanes.