Isle of Wight prepares for Millennium Bug

Island residents fear arrival of Millennium bug as New Year fast approaches tonight.

New Year’s Eve for many is a time to pop open a bottle of champagne and enjoy spending time with friends and family. Island families instead have found no reason to celebrate as many expect the Millennium bug will hit at midnight tonight.

The Millennium bug was first identified in the year 2000 but the island was saved from the epidemic by the Solent which, because of its sky-high crossing prices enforced by Wightlink and Red Funnel, acted as an extremely effective natural firewall. Now 14 years later the bug appears to have made it across.

In the run up to New Year’s the first effects of the bug have already been felt. Island homes have been left without power or running water. Many residents have lost mobile phone signal, in many places receiving only one or two bars.

Isle of Wight health chiefs have warned those travelling to the mainland over the holiday period to be extra vigilant. Hand wash stations have been set up at all ferry ports to help stop the bug spreading. St Mary’s hospital, Newport, is on high alert.

It is not clear as yet the extent of damage the bug may cause. The real effect will only be known on January 1st. The Isle of Wight council’s department of technology has warned the Island’s vital dial up internet connection could be affected and many businesses and island families may be left without AoL or the ability to Ask Jeeves.