(3/9/99)
OSLO, March 9 (Reuters) - A Norwegian town is planning to hold an ``erotic week'' to encourage sex for couples wanting to have the first baby of the new millennium.
The local cinema in Otta will run erotic films, a hotel is offering free rooms for couples on March 30 and a kindergarden will look after children overnight.
Other residents are also planning private sex parties.
``We will allow couples to stay free for three hours from midday as part of our erotic week,'' said Inge Leif Larsen at the Norlandia hotel. The offer, however, is only for locals who are married or registered as living together.
The region around Otta, north of Lillehammer which hosted the 1994 Winter Olympics, wants more children to help slow a drift to the cities. A local business group is offering prizes for the baby born soonest after New Year.
A local kindergarden will offer to look after children overnight on Saturday, April 10, reckoning that is the key date for anyone wanting a baby on January 1, 2000.
``We're sending out a letter to parents today,'' said Maalfrid Blindheim at the Ottbragden kindergarden. ``We don't know how many will take up the offer.''
At a recent town meeting, the men's club reported, ``Score!''