MILLENNIUM plans in the parish of Buckland Monachorum are well under way, with the initial event happening on the very first day of the new century.

The parish council has bought five granite seats for the villages of Buckland Monachorum, Yelverton, Clearbrook, Milton Combe and Crapstone which are being erected shortly.

'We are doing a Millennium walk to each bench on January 1,' said Marilyn Allen, chairman of the parish council.

'Everyone is welcome — the more the merrier.'

The walk begins at Milton Combe at 10am, with a break for lunch at Yelverton before finishing up in Buckland Monachorum at 3pm.

There will be 15-minute break and a short dedication at each seat.

'We are also going to give every child in the parish a Millennium mug which has a picture of the Yelverton rock and ponies on it,' Miss Allen said.

The mugs are being given out at each village hall in the parish on Sunday, January 9.

And looking further ahead, August Bank Holiday is a weekend to note in the diary, with a selection of events planned for all ages.

'We are going to have a marquee on the moor near Leg o' Mutton on the Sunday with a tea dance for senior citizens.

'On the Monday afternoon we are having a children's party and on Monday evening a barn dance for everybody,' said Miss Allen.