HOSTING Europe's biggest Hogmanay party for the millennium could cost Edinburgh city council more than #3m, it was revealed yesterday.

The giant street party, which has quickly become a tradition in the capital, is expected to more than double in cost as the nation welcomes 2000.

Around 200,000 people are expected at the event. Edinburgh city council, already considering charging revellers for tickets, is now looking for sponsorship to help meet the cost of staff and security.

A council spokesman said: ''Contractors are telling us the supplies and labour costs over the millennium new year period could be two, three or even four times what we normally pay.

''If we are going to deliver the same sort of event as we do at the moment then we have a much bigger funding bridge to cross.''