A pound of spuds will soon be thrown into the dustbin of history. So will a yard of cloth. Prepare for the metric Millennium.

European Union empire-builders positively frown on the imperial. Traders are being told to convert scales and measures now, ready for the changeover on New Year's Day. This will prove costly to the independent business and confusing to customers, especially from the older generation.

The unloved metric system is being imposed on Britain in the name of European harmonisation. But the smaller shop keeper could do without this pointless red tape. We hope the bureaucrats choose to turn a blind eye to any traders who ignore the new rules. It would be unseemly for the EU to insist on its pound - sorry, kilo - of flesh.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.