Malmesbury's Millennium celebration committee is back on track following the resignation of its chairman, Ray Sanderson.

Mr Sanderson stepped down in August because of poor health.

The committee was set up by residents in 1998 to implement a number of town projects to celebrate the Millennium.

The projects included the production of special bronze and silver commemorative medallions; a new clock in the Cross Hayes and a Millennium stone in the Abbey grounds, behind the Market Cross.

Although the committee did not officially fall under the auspices of Malmesbury Town Council, it received the council's backing and support.

Stressing that all town councillors on the committee were taking part in their personal rather than their official capacities, Malmesbury Mayor Catherine Doody said the committee had reconvened last month to discuss the way forward.

The committee had decided not to elect a new chairman, but to take decisions by a group consensus.

Coun Doody said the committee's first move would be the promotion of the Millennium medallions.

Limited editions of 2,000 bronze medals and 100 silver medals were minted at the beginning of the year.

Coun Doody said: "We're hoping to get sales back on track for the Christmas period. The medallions could well become collector's items in the future."

The bronze medallions cost £12.50, and the silver medals £80.

The medallions are on sale at the town hall information centre, The Workshop gift store and Malmesbury Bookshop.

They will also be available shortly from schools, nursery groups, youth clubs and other community organisations.

The committee is hoping to use proceeds from the sales of the medallions to fund the other Millennium projects.

The stone project took a knock in September after Malmesbury amateur sculptor, Col Tony Neve, withdrew his offer to carve the stone.

Coun Doody said the committee was now looking at a smaller and more simple stone at the abbey grounds, between the Whole Hog Pub and the Rajah Indian Restaurant.

The carnival committee has set aside £2,000 for the stone project.

The committee will shortly began contacting sponsors for the clock project.