Because of "rapidly changing circumstances'' the Bermuda Regiment has been ordered to stand down and will not be going to Montserrat at this time, Deputy Governor Peter Willis yesterday told The Royal Gazette .

"I spoke to (the Deputy Governor at) Government House in Montserrat this morning and due to rapidly changing circumstances I was told it would not be possible to deploy the Regiment in the manner we originally envisaged,'' said Mr. Willis.

"They've had several big blows there and the middle of the island that is supposed to be a safe zone is now a no-go zone at this stage.

British authorities on Montserrat are set to begin a voluntary evacuation programme today and half of the island's 4,000 remaining residents are expected to leave.

"The government of Montserrat expressed its extreme gratitude for the offer,'' Mr. Willis said. "We told them the Regiment would stand by in case help was needed.'' Members of the Regiment were poised to take part in relief operations on Montserrat, which has been devastated by the eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano.

Minister of Home Affairs Quinton Edness said on Thursday that Government had approved the funding for the mission and the Regiment was expected to be en route by the end of the weekend.

Mr. Willis said yesterday the Regiment had already secured the use of a NATO aircraft for the operation.

While the Regiment will not be riding to Montserrat's rescue, telecommunications giant, Cable and Wireless announced a donation of more than $92,000 to the Government of Montserrat to help put the island on the road to recovery.

Cable & Wireless spokesman John Instone said that Bill Allan director of the company's regional business division presented a cheque for $92,590 to Monserrat's then-Chief Minister Bertrand Osborne.

And Mr. Allan said that C&W will continue to support Montserrat and its people.

Governor Frank Savage attended the presentation and remarked that C&W had always provided consistent service to Montserrat throughout its problems with hurricanes and other natural disasters over the past few years.

Fewer than 4,000 remain on Montserrat, down from 11,000 in July 1995. The southern two-thirds of the 39-square-mile island are off-limits, including the capital, Plymouth. A June 25 avalanche of rock, ash and gas from the Soufriere Hills volcano killed up to 20 people.

Montserrat Chief Minister sworn in: Page 5 Peter Willis GOVERNOR GOV