Shortlist goes on show as designers try to brand the new millennium

The millennium bug problem may be occupying many of the country's best minds, but the problem of the millennium logo is not too far behind.

After all, without the right logo, next New Year's celebrations could seriously malfunction, a scenario in which press releases would go astray, party invitations would be binned and the whole celebration would suffer from a potentially fatal lack of branding.

Which is why the Millennium Commission has trawled the State's art colleges, North and South, looking for the perfect design; and a shortlist of the entries submitted went on display in Government Buildings yesterday.

The chosen designers won a modest £500 each, with a more substantial prize awaiting the eventual winner.

The most traditionally Irish-looking entry came from Ballymena NEIFHE. Its strongly Celtic design was described by an observer as "real Fianna Fail".

Most of the designs are abstract, but Vikings inevitably feature - in an entry in which the neck of a long-ship and three Viking shields form the figure 2000.

The winning design, which will feature on commemorative coins, stamps and other memorabilia, will be chosen before the end of the month.