THE Millennium Flame will light up the celebrations of an East Durham town next weekend.

Seaham is holding its Millennium Summer Festival on Sunday, July 30, and is hoping for an attandance of about 12,000 people.

The Millennium Flame, which was lit at Sunderland's Stadium of Light last May, will be brought to the town after making a journey to millennium celebrations around the country. It will be officially received by Seaham Mayor Sadie Mason in a ceremony during the festivities.

Seaham Town Council clerk Stan Cudlip said: "We are absolutely thrilled about it. It is a great honour for a town like Seaham to get the Millennium Flame.

"When we heard that it was touring the country we seized the opportunity, for the people of Seaham, for it to come here and our application was successful."

The festival will be held between 11am and 5pm on Terrace Green, South Terrace and Church Street and will feature a wide range of attractions. These include Nickelodeon's Red Hot Lobster Show, Beatles, Abba and Queen tribute bands, falconry and sheepdog displays, and the Derby Midshipmen Marching Band.

Mr Cudlip said: "With the help of Millennium Commission funding a true carnival-style atmosphere is assured."

The festival is one of five events being held throughout the year by the town council to mark the dawn of the 21st Century.