NEW Year celebrations almost ended in disaster for one Cleveland village.

Gale force winds and a blizzard tore down a marquee put up for the festivities in Maltby on New Year's Eve. The canvas had to be weighed down with sacks of sand and gravel to make the area safe.

But the celebrations were saved when the local pub provided space for part of the party and the rest of the fun was diverted to the village hall.

The severe weather threatened a year of planning by members of Maltby millennium celebration committee.

Villagers had been looking forward to repeating the huge success of the Year 2000 party and the marquee had been set out in style. But as the blizzard struck, organisers had to evacuate and dismantle all the preparations. Tent poles and guy ropes were whipped out of place by the fierce winds.

As 130 revellers faced a blighted New Year's Eve, the landlords of the Pathfinders pub came to the rescue by providing a dining area for the first part of the evening which included the food and a party for families with young children.

Committee member, Mrs Joanne Dougherty, said: "We shed a few tears and then realised the show must go on. As soon as word got round, lots of people rallied round to help so we just got on with it and moved everything indoors."

The planned disco was switched to the village hall and the festivities went ahead to see in 2001. "The strong community spirit forged during our millennium celebrations helped save the day," said Mrs Dougherty. Though not exactly as planned, the event was a massive success and not one to be easily forgotten.