CHORLEY has unveiled its special project to mark the Millennium - a £66,000 town centre canopy.

The overhead canopy, chosen by the borough's Millennium Committee, will be built in Cleveland Street.

Now, a fund-raising campaign has been launched to finance the project.

Civic leaders and local business chiefs gathered at Chorley Town Hall for the announcement.

Though a number of different events will take place throughout the year to celebrate the Millennium in the borough - including the introduction of town centre street paving and furniture - the committee explained that it wished to see a project which would not only mark the occasion, but also involve all residents and businesses in Chorley.

The canopy has been specially designed by sculptor Ian Randall.

The Millennium Committee says the canopy is an important part of the environmental enhancement proposals for Chorley town centre, forming a focal point or meeting place as well as a decorative feature.

It will consist of a covered canopy supported by decorative columns in wrought iron and stone panels depicting the life and times of the people of Chorley.

Councillor Tony Gee (pictured) handed over a cheque for £10,000 from the council to the committee to kick-start the fund-raising into action.

He said: "This cheque, I hope, is the first of many you are going to receive."

Ian McCallum of AMEC pledged another £1,000.

GPT Payphones, Carr Lane, Chorley, is also supporting the project.

The Millennium Committee is urging everyone to help.

Contributions can range from small donations to fund a bollard, for instance, to larger ones which could fund larger features.

Donations can be sent to: Project 2000, PO Box 2000, Chorley, PR7 1GQ.

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