EIGHT months into the new century youngsters in Ilkley are still benefiting from a Millennium project in the town.

Proceeds - to the tune of £5,000 - have been poured into youth projects as the Ilkley Millennium Video continues to be a high-street hit.

Townsfolk and tourists are still clamouring to take a copy of the video off the shelves.

More than 150 copies of the video, which includes a commentary by television presenter Richard Whiteley, have been sold.

Kathleen Pinder, who works at the Tourist Information Centre, which stocks the video, said: "Sales are still steady. A version has been produced, which is

suitable for American and Canadian machines and this is proving very popular with overseas visitors."

Bob Tilly, of Ilkley Civic Society, who helped produce the video, said: "The sales have been fantastic.

"We managed to raise the vast majority of the costs to cover the making of the video so every video sold now is profit. And this profit is going straight to young people in Ilkley."

The video provides a view of the town at the turn of the century, taking in its seasons, landscapes, people, events and places.

It also contains highlights from Ilkley's past from the Bronze age to the to the Romans and the town's emergence as a Victorian spa.

Funds have already reached various youth organisations in the town, including Ilkley Youth and Community Centre, Pipedream and Churches Together in Ilkley.

Rosie Tudge, a member of the Churches Together Committee, said: "It's brilliant. It is lovely in Ilkley. It is a smashing town and people are able to identify with local projects like this. The response is always brilliant. We were very happy to receive the money."

The video was a joint partnership, its three main sponsors being Crest Homes, the Skipton Building Society and HSBC.

Copies of the video are still available from the Tourist Information Centre, Skipton Building Society and the Ilkley Gazette.