APATHY in Okehampton has killed plans for what promised to be the biggest party the town had ever seen for millennium night 2000.

Just one £5 donation has been received after an appeal went out to all the businesses in the town for financial support to help make New Year's Eve go out with a bang.

The plan, which included a spectacular fireworks display, was set in motion by a group of enthusiastic residents who were responding to the disappointment shown by townspeople over the lack of celebrations last year.

Heather Whitbread, who owns a florist shop in the Red Lion Yard, said she was 'shattered' by the lack of response.

'We wanted to put on something really special for the community,' she said.

'There was such a hue and cry last year when the town clock was not working and there were no festivities, yet when we responded to that and asked for volunteers we got nothing.'

Mrs Whitbread said if people had just shown an interest by turning up at the two open meetings it would have been a start.

'You cannot wave a magic wand and hope something will happen — things like this have to be planned and need support from the community.'

Lockrow Pyrotechnics at Newton Abbot had been pre-booked for a grand fireworks display, the likes of which had only been seen at Bridgwater Carnival and Dartmoor Regatta in this part of the country, but the £900 deposit could not be found.

'The company gave us an extended deadline to get the money together but with only one donation we had to regrettably say no,' added Mrs Whitbread.

The group had planned to hold a number of fundraising events throughout the year and one 62-year-old member had even volunteered to do a bungee jump.

'We estimated to have the firework display, music from one end of the town to another, street entertainment and the like would cost in the region of £9,000,' said Heather. 'Teamwork was the key to getting it off the ground.

'It may sound ambitious but the whole point was to make it a party like Okehampton had never seen before. People can just stay at home and do their knitting now on New Year's Eve as far as I am concerned.'

She added she was surprised at the businesses for not wanting to get involved because it would benefit many of them.

'It would have brought many people into the pubs and an event like this would make people remember Okehampton. We were trying to help put Okehampton on the map but it seems apathy rules in this town.'

Mrs Whitbread said she would probably take her custom elsewhere in future.

'If I get a better invitation on New Year's Eve I will be off — I, like a lot of people, will go where the activity is.'