WHEN the Lord Mayor led the most lively festival of colour, music and celebration to be seen for years in the streets of York, it seemed even the weather had joined in the party spirit.

Spectators and participants of York Carnival 2000 had woken to more than the threat of rain - it poured all morning.

But an hour before the parade started, a miracle happened and the rain stopped.

Sylvia Rooke, of Soroptimists International of York, summed up what most felt.

She said: "When I woke up and saw the rain I could have wept, but we would have gone out anyway and loved every minute of it.

"If we got drenched we got drenched, but fortunately it dried up just in time."

The parade was the culmination of the Let's Party weekend which saw communities throughout York unite to celebrate the Millennium.

The event is thought to have raised thousands of pounds for the Evening Press-backed St Leonard's Hospice appeal.

Street parties were held throughout the city, bringing neighbours together to enjoy barbecues, games, stalls and drinks.

In Fulford, residents of Eastwood Avenue and Fulfordgate stopped their celebrations to charge their glasses for a toast to the work of the hospice.

Similar events were going on in Lynwood Avenue in Copmanthorpe, Severus Avenue in Acomb, Myrtle Avenue in Bishopthorpe and Beaverdyke, off Nunnery Lane.

Pubs held fancy dress parties, talent contests and barbecues, while shopping centres laid on entertainment.

Layerthorpe Working Men's Club brought in bands for a rock 'n' roll night, while Burton Croft Nursing Home enjoyed a cheese and wine evening and St Barnabas Church held a coffee morning.

St Leonard's Hospice joined with York College for a community fun day with stalls, games, live bands and refreshments.

It is expected to take a week before the amount raised is known.The parade's route through the city centre was lined by thousands of spectators, who were not disappointed by the stunning floats and costumes based around the theme of time.

The York Royal Naval Association carried a wooden boat through the streets, while Nestle staff dressed as York figures of the past, the present - and even the future with a Space Age Lord Mayor, Coun Shan Braund.

Other groups included York charity Snappy, the Minster Lions, the Royal Air Forces Association, the RSPCA, Churches Together in South West York, Foxwood Community Centre and Muncaster Residents' Association.

Another float, from the Theatre Royal, promoted its latest production - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Instead, it was on the way to the Barbican after its truck broke down, leaving the cast, dressed in Roman togas, stranded on Duncombe Place as a sea of floats passed them by.

Michelle Roberts, marketing officer, said: "At least we're in the middle of the procession and we're having a fantastic day."

Lord Mayor Shan Braund said: "I woke up on Sunday and saw the rain and I was really worried about it. So many people had gone to so much effort but, miraculously, it stopped and the day was brilliant.

"The whole parade was quite spectacular. There was an excellent atmosphere and it seemed so packed with everyone cheering.

"There was a real community spirit, which has been shown throughout the whole weekend. It's been wonderful."

ends