spot shut its doors have found new jobs, it was revealed yesterday.

Exact figures were not released -- but when the closure was announced a spokesman for Lantana said it employed "up to 60 staff.'' Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Maxwell Burgess said: "By working closely with John Harvey of the Bermuda Hotels Association we have assisted over two-thirds of these employees seeking work to find new employment.

"This is a prime example of what the community can do when we all work together.'' Mr. Burgess and Tourism Minister David Dodwell pledged to set up a special desk for workers made redundant from Lantana, which shut last week.

And applications for work permits for foreign waiters were frozen until the Lantana staff were found new work. Mr. Burgess added: "This has been a joint initiative which will continue until all those dedicated Lantana employees seeking work are settled in new jobs.

"Mr. Harvey has agreed to continue to oversee the process and will keep me informed daily as to his progress.'' Mr. Harvey added: "These are excellent employees who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

"It was incumbent on us to make sure they were re-employed quickly and this is what we set out to do.'' And Mr. Harvey said any ex-Lantana worker still looking for work should contact him at the Bermuda Hotel Association on 295-2127.

The closure of Lantana -- owned by the Young and Leseur families -- was blamed on financial problems when the shock closure announcement was made earlier this month.

But Mr. Burgess said the speed of locating new jobs proved "the buoyancy of the economy and that tourism was finding its way back.'' He added: "It also proves the hotels' commitment to take on Bermudians, as they always said they would, when they are available.'' Maxwell Burgess