Revellers worldwide are likely to see in the new year with a tune composed by a Westcliff man.

Following the stroke of midnight and the traditional singing of Auld Lang Syne, the first music played at the Millennium Dome on New Year's Eve will have been composed and arranged by Westcliff's own Barrington Pheloung.

Barrington has spent the past six months working flat out on a unique piece of music which will be heard by two billion people in the first few minutes of the year 2000.

The 17-minute piece is a combination of Barrington's own compositions and works by other composers and will be performed in front of the Queen, and to television viewers across the globe.

He explained: "After midnight on New Year's Eve there will be performances by Jools Holland's Big Band, the English National Orchestra, the London Samba School and the Dohl Foundation, who are Indian drummers.

"My task was to put together a piece of music which seamlessly links all these very different musical styles together."

Barrington added: "It has been quite a challenge and I'm delighted to have just handed in the final piece."

The composer, who wrote the music for the hit television series Inspector Morse, has been given tickets for the most sought-after party in the country at the Dome - but does not yet know if he will go.

He may, instead, return to his native Australia for a well-earned break.

New year maestro - Barrington Pheloung,/STRONG>

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

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