Excitement is mounting in Little Burstead as plans to celebrate the millennium take shape.

The parish council has set aside £1,000 to make the event one to remember.

It plans to use most of the money for a millennium bench which will be placed in the village under an oak tree because the council's logo is an oak leaf.

For the second year running Little Burstead will boast an array of lights over the festive period. It's also hoped a candlelight procession can wind its way through the village streets.

Council chairman Mark Dale said: "We want to celebrate the millennium in our own style and keep the celebrations limited to the village. We don't want to move too quickly into the 21st century!

"Nothing is being arranged for New Year's Eve. We plan to keep that sacred so everyone can do their own thing."

The councillors will discuss what else can be done to mark the historic event in September.

Their last meeting was attended by scores of villagers who, for the first time, had the chance to ask questions to Basildon Council officers.

Mr Dale said: "People were asking about everything from sewage to street lighting and it was good to have an answer from the horses' mouth."

The officers promised to address the problem of badly potholed land outside the old church school hall in Langdon Common Road. They said the holes would be filled in over the next few days.

Locals also heard that a crime prevention day will be held in the village hall, in Langdon Common Road, on July 31 from 10am-noon.

Parish councillors decided to hold their meetings every two months from now on due to a lack of business. Their constitution was changed to give councillors delegated powers to deal with any urgent matters.

They next meet on September 8 in the village hall.

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