BEBINGTON MP Ben Chapman has called on local small businesses to ensure they are prepared for the turn of the century.

With less than six months remaining, small businesses are still behind in preparing for the Millennium Bug, says the Wirral South MP.

"Just over 40 per cent of UK businesses employing fewer than 250 people have yet to take adequate measures to deal with the Millennium Bug," he said. "Many are vital for links in the overall national supply chain as well as being an important part of the local economy.

"The Bug could affect businesses in a number of ways. Staff may not be able to enter premises because security systems or sprinkler systems have gone haywire. Computers may lose all trace of invoicing records or print out inaccurate invoices."

He added: "Key suppliers and customers need to exchange information and contingency and continuity plans must be set in place. Time is short. Positive action now can make all the difference," he said.

Advice and a free action pack on how to deal with the Millennium Bug are available from ACTION 2000 on (0845) 601-2000.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.