WORTHING'S millennium festivities will end at 8pm on New Year's Eve.

Planned performances by street entertainers, bands and local music and drama groups which had due to run from 8pm until midnight will not now take place after fears over safety.

But Worthing Council's policy and resources committe tried to soften the blow by announcing a funfair at Montague Place will run until midnight, and rockets will be fired throughout the evening.

Celebrations will now see a beacon lit at 6pm, judging of a children's lantern competitionhhhhh, street entertainers performing until 6.45pm and a firework display off Worthing Pier at 7.15pm.

Police raised serious concerns about the number of stewards and referred the council to health and safety safety guidelines set out by emergency services.

Nearly 120 stewards have now been appointed to cover the event and police say the scaled down festivities are more manageable for organisers.

The council was assuming about 5,000 people would turn up but admitted last night that the

figure could be a lot higher.

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