Now it's getting serious

Millennium watchdog Action 2000 reports that many hotel and catering businesses are ignoring its 'last chance' campaign. The bugbuster warns that this could result in disruption to New Year's parties.

Says managing director Gwynneth Flower: "Businesses in this sector appear to be making little or no effort to address potential problems."

A recent survey shows that over 40% of these service companies regard Y2K as an IT issue and not something they need to deal with. Nearly three-quarters have no contingency plans in place.

Action 2000 has put these businesses on notice, saying that if lighting, access control, lift or fire protection systems fail, they could face legal steps unless they can show that adequate precautions had been taken.

Elliott Chase