Years of hard work came to an end yesterday as Environmental Minister Dennis Lister unveiled Bermuda's first-ever "Traditional Building Guide".

The publication not only lists 788 buildings throughout the Island which are protected for either their environmental or historical importance, but also provides builders with guidelines on how to preserve the richness of the structures.

At the Visitor's Centre in Botanical Gardens yesterday Mr. Lister said the project had been 12 years in the making.

"In April 1991, the process (of listing buildings) got underway with the appointment of the first Historic Buildings Committee," he said.

"The Committee members walked the length and breadth of Bermuda inspecting, viewing, reviewing, scoring, photographing and recording every structure and building worthy of consideration as a listed building."

In addition, Mr. Lister said 286 buildings had been listed over the past four years, and a certificate of listing will be mailed to the remaining occupants.

Previously, some residents complained that their listed dwellings may become hard to sell due to building restrictions.

For example, if the house possesses cedar blinds, they must be replaced with the same material, which could be an expensive undertaking.

However, owners of listed buildings are not required to pay planning and building fees. And earlier last year, the Government and the Bank of Butterfield joined forces to provide interest-free loans for restoration of listed buildings of up to $100,000 for up to five years. The guides were presented by Mr. Lister to Committee member Andrew Trimingham; conservation architect Tony Short and National Trust president Wayne Jackson.

A fourth copy will be presented to Ann Frith Cartwright DeCouto, who was the first head of the Advisory Committee.

Mr. Jackson said: "This is a very significant achievement. It is in effect a celebration of our building culture and a tribute to all those who contributed it."