BUSINESS leaders attended a Bucks Free Press millennium bug meeting to be told that up to 20 per cent of UK firms could fail at the turn of the year 2000.

The meeting, held at the BFP offices, in Gomm Road, High Wycombe, also heard that a far greater percentage of businesses could face ruin in other countries around the world, which could cut off supply chains.

Representatives from banks, businesses, local councils and the South Bucks NHS Trust attended the forum last Wednesday to talk about their plans to tackle the bug.

The problem has arisen because many computer systems will be unable to recognise the year 2000. This means programmes could be disabled after midnight on December 31,1999.

Many companies have already taken action to deal with the problem.

No one really knows the scale of the problem because thousands of machines, such as lifts and air conditioning systems, contain computer chips which rely on dates.

BFP managing director Sarah McNeill said: "We have already got some action points and people have committed themselves to try and work together.

"It is certainly something we can see some positive steps coming from."

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