For a few minutes at midnight, historic St. George was thrown onto the world's centre stage as live television pictures of the Millennium celebrations were beamed around the globe.

After the countdown, Premier Jennifer Smith proclaimed: "New Year's greetings around the world from the 17th century living heart of St. George.'' A five minute section of the party beginning just before midnight was fed by local broadcaster ZBM through a Cable and Wireless satellite to network channel MSNBC in New York, which included it in its world Millennium coverage.

Bermuda's oldest town was given the global showcase as the onion was lowered in King's Square and fireworks exploded in the night sky to herald the beginning of the new century.

The premier, dressed in a white silk trouser suit, danced on the stage in the square with MC for the evening Nadanja Bailey, musician Shine Hayward, and the Mayor of St. George Lois Perinchief.

The square was busy, but hardly jam-packed, although the Corporation of St.

George estimate around 6,000 people were there for the evening.

Recognising the unique opportunity to advertise the Island around the world, the Ministry of Tourism ploughed around $55,000 towards the $70,000 cost of the event. Government was well represented in the town with Education Minister Milton Scott, Health Minister Nelson Bascome, Tourism Minister David Allen, and Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb joining the crowds to enjoy the celebration.

The party kicked off shortly before 7 p.m. with singing from local churches.

The square was decorated with beautiful purple and white balloons, while a huge inflatable creature looking like a dancing Gombey gyrated in the corner.

Spotlight on St. George's Revellers wandered the streets around the square, drinking alcohol and enjoying hot food from the stalls set up for the evening.

The crowd was brought to life by performances from Shine Hayward and Friends, the Hot Spice limbo dancers and the Bermuda National Youth Jazz Ensemble.

Mr. Hayward, the music teacher at Warwick Academy then introduced a special surprise, a group of jazz students at the school calling themselves Mahogany.

Top Bermudian calypso singer Pinky Steede took to the stage for a half hour show as the clock crept towards midnight.

Shortly before the dawning of the new Millennium, Mr. Bailey was joined by Pinky Steede and Shine Hayward for a live version of Mambo Number Five. With the countdown completed, the onion was lowered from outside the town hall as the musicians played Auld Lang Syne , before the Premier wished the town and the world a happy New Year.

Seconds later, fireworks exploded into the sky for a 15 minute extravaganza.

Oil magnate John Deuss' yacht Fleurtje was among those in the harbour to watch the spectacular display.

The evening drew to a close in thrilling fashion as the Gombeys performed among the crowds. The drummers did get on stage, but had problems standing up properly as their hats were too big and hit the canopy.

ZBM's Operations manager and Chief Engineer Delano Ingham said: "As far as we were concerned, it all went smoothly and to plan from our end. We delivered what we had to deliver.

"I didn't actually see it myself but some of our staff saw it and said it looked really good.'' Corporation of St. George Secretary Nancy Hooper said later: "Given the magnitude of the event -- it was four times bigger than what we normally do -- I think it went very well.

"I spoke to the Police afterwards and there wasn't a single incident. People were saying to the mayor it was the best New Year event we have ever put on, and I feel the same way.''