which marked the end of a nine-year reign by her predecessor.

Former deputy mayor Lois Marion Roselyn Perinchief seized the top spot in the East End town's municipal elections with a 219-45 victory over perennial runner-up Gladstone Trott.

Joining her on the new team as returning Aldermen were Noela Haycock and Ross Smith while Terrence Roberts successfully moved up from the position of Common Councillor to Alderman.

Retaining positions of Common Councillor were E. Michael Jones, Louis DeSilva, Leon (Jimmy) Williams and David Raine. They were joined by Corporation newcomer Kenneth Bascome.

Mr. Bascome lost out by two votes in the 1994 election but despite his success yesterday he refused to speak to The Royal Gazette .

Meanwhile Mrs. Perinchief said: "Naturally I am excited and overwhelmed but at the same time I am a little bit apprehensive. My predecessor did such a fantastic job that it will be difficult to keep up with him.

"I will do the best that I can. I love St. George's and with this good team that I have behind me and God's help I hope to continue the momentum that we've got going.

"We want to continue to put St. George's on the map and make it an interesting, exciting and safe place to visit.'' Mrs. Perinchief's rival this year, Mr. Trott, lost to her years ago when he ran for the position of Alderman and he lost to Mr. Hayward in the 1991 and 1994 municipal elections when he ran for the top job.

Re-elected incumbent Mr. Williams, the St. George's North MP, noted that it was Mrs. Perinchief who encouraged him to join the Corporation 15 years ago.

"I am happy to be in her brigade,'' he said.

"My aim and goal is to give my best as I have always done to St. George's.'' Former Mayor Henry Hayward said: "The Corporation got a good team tonight.

The three aldermen have served for a number of years so the Mayor will have good support from a senior team.

"I am sure they are going to continue with the success that we have had over the last couple of years and carry us ahead.'' Mr. Hayward said the election was one of the most interesting that St.

George's had seen in a number of years.

Seventy eight percent of the municipality's 343 registered voters turned out to cast their ballots yesterday. At the last election in 1994 only 69 percent showed up.

Mr. Hayward put the high turnout of voters down to the interest that had been generated in the town with the work the Corporation had been doing.

Corporation secretary Larry Jacobs agreed. He noted that 268 voters was "quite a lot'' and showed the Corporation was doing something right.

"I think this shows that people are enthusiastic about the progress that we are making with the Heritage Plan. They exercised their right to vote because they wanted to get involved.'' Perinchief wins Mr. Roberts, who moved from Common Councillor to Alderman with a poll topping 217 votes, said he felt he had a lot to offer and could do more in the higher position.

"I felt the time was right to take a small step upward. Our town is growing and we need a good team in place. I consider myself to be a team player so I will dig in and do my best.'' Losing out at the end of the day were Mr. Trott, Alderman candidate Delaey Robinson and Common Councillor candidates Mariea Caisey and William Davis.

Mr. Robinson declined to comment but Ms Caisey said she would have been surprised if she had been successful in her first attempt. She noted that she only lost out by 15 votes.

How St. George's voted Mayor Lois Perinchief 219 Gladstone Trott 45 Aldermen (Three seats) Noela Haycock 181 Terrence Roberts 217 Delaey Robinson 107 Ross Smith 147 Common Councillors (Five seats) Kenneth Bascome 152 Mariea Caisey 128 William Davis 92 Louis DeSilva 168 E. Michael Jones 177 David Raine 143 Leon (Jimmy) Williams 148 Total votes cast 268 (78 percent) -- incumbents 1994 results Mayor: J. Henry Hayward 149, Gladstone Trott 65.

Common Councillor (five seats): Terence R. Roberts 153, Louis R. DeSilva 140, Leon C. Williams 139, E. Michael Jones 128, David F. Raine 114, Kenneth L.

Bascome 112.

Total votes cast 217 (69 percent)