Water chiefs in the north of Scotland have hired a fleet of emergency generators to make sure raw sewage does not "blowback" because of the millennium bug.

There are fears the bug could cause a temporary shutdown of pumping stations, forcing sewage back up the pipes from which it flowed down.

The North of Scotland Water Authority has hired a number of standby generators to ensure this does not happen.

A NoSWA spokesman said: "For more than two years a large number of staff have worked steadily and methodically to root out any problems associated with the millennium bug in order that our customers can enjoy continued service during and beyond the millennium rollover.

Bug 'stamped on'

"The supply of back-up generators to sewage and water-pumping installations is just one of many measures we are taking to make sure the millennium bug is stamped on before it has a chance to do any damage.

"Services to our customers over the millennium holiday period will remain business as usual."

The generators are being supplied by a Dundee-based firm which has also come to the aid of Lothian Health Care, Tesco and Marks and Spencer.

Kolfar Plant spokesman George Fyfe said: "Orders for stand-by generators to cover the millennium period are still coming in."

A team of experts has searched every area of NoSWA to identify areas which might be at risk from the bug.

The team has looked at 1200 sites and 4200 pieces of equipment.

NoSWA's Millennium Bug customer helpline can be reached on 0808 100 5333