CHAGFORD has struck lucky again and received a third grant to help with its Millennium celebrations.

The Millennium Festival Award of £2,400 is to fund transport and workshops for August's historical cavalcade.

The summer festival and time capsule project have already attracted lottery cash.

Mary Morton from Chagford Carnival committee, who is organising the event in August, said they must have put forward a 'pretty good case.'

'We have something happening every month of next year,' she said. 'This New Year's Eve party will be fairly small compared with next year which some people say is really the beginning of the new Millennium anyway.

'We are having a huge party to wind up the celebrations instead of having one to start them.'

The historical cavalcade on August 12 will be like a carnival possession but the theme will span 2000 years from the birth of Christ and into the future.

There will be floats, walking and riding groups, dancers and bands all portraying music, movement and historical events from the past.

Only residents of Chagford can take part and instead of prizes there will be souvenir certificates for everyone taking part.

The money will help the pageant organisers pay for the hire of transport and provide dance workshops and workshops for making props.

Mrs Morton said there would be several different bands styles such as medieval, baroque, marching and salsa.

'It's going to be lots of fun,' she said. 'We want as many people as possible from Chagford to join in.'

The Chagford Carnival committee was one of 143 small organisations throughout the South West who were successful in this latest round of awards.

The grants, which range from £500 to £5,000, are made possible by a £40 million National Lottery programme.

The fund aims to support projects which not only mark the Millennium but will expand activities, develop skills and creativity or make a long-term difference to a community.

Community organisations can continue to apply for funding until next June and should receive a decision within about three months of submitting an application form. For more information and an application pack phone 0845 600 2040.