in Bermuda.

Career Foreign Office man Tim Gurney arrived on the Island on Saturday night.

And today he will be formally sworn in by Governor Thorold Masefield at Government House.

Mr. Gurney, 43, told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "When you start any new job and it's such a big change there's always a certain amount of anxiety -- you always worry what's ahead.

"It's not every day of the week you get sworn in.'' Mr. Gurney comes to Bermuda from a posting in London heading up the massive network of UK visa offices around the world.

It is understood that Foreign Office bosses -- who wanted a more user-friendly approach from the visa offices -- were impressed by his performance.

Mr. Gurney said: "I've known about the Bermuda job since some time in June -- I was finishing up a job in London and I've spent a good part of the time looking ahead.

"It's always seemed so far away in the future, it's nice to get going.'' Mr. Gurney added that his first priority after swearing in was to start meeting Government Ministers and top Civil Servants.

He said: "I've got quite a lot of things to sort out -- simple things like getting a bank account -- but I've got a full programme planned for the next week.'' Mr. Gurney added his initial impressions of the Island were favourable. He said: "It's a beautiful place and the people are very friendly. I was instantly struck by the smell of the flowers walking along the streets.'' Mr. Gurney replaces Peter Willis, who was set to end a four-year tour of duty in Bermuda this week. But Mr. Willis was hit with heart trouble last week and rushed to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore for tests from heart specialists.

Government House, however, later announced that Mr. Willis -- due to retire in three months -- would not require surgery.

But a host of receptions and dinners to honour his contribution to Island life had to be cancelled, including a reception from Governor Thorold Masefield and a dinner hosted by Premier Pamela Gordon.