first PLP Premier and the first woman leader to win a General Election in Bermuda.

And she said after being sworn in by Governor Thorold Masefield at Government House: "It's with a great deal of awe that I assume this position in front of my mother, family and colleagues.'' And she added she intended to live up to "the responsibility and faith and trust the people of Bermuda have entrusted to us''.

She added: "With the support of the team I have around me and the support of those members who will become the Cabinet, we can build a new and better Bermuda for all Bermudians.'' But she said she was thinking of party pioneers and her predecessor as PLP leader, the late Frederick Wade, as she took over the reins of power.

Ms Smith admitted: "I feel great -- but I'm saddened that some people who have contributed so much are not here to see it. I feel a great responsibility to them and to all the people of Bermuda to do all these things with which we are charged.'' Now Parliament will convene for the first time under the new Government a week tomorrow, following the PLP's debut Throne Speech.

The swearing in was witnessed by Ms Smith's mother, also Jennifer, and senior party colleagues, including Eugene Cox, Alex Scott, Lois Browne Evans, David Allen and PLP General Secretary Walter Roban.

Earlier, most of the PLP team gathered outside Government House to watch Ms Smith go in to meet the Governor and some managed to squeeze into the small room used for the ceremony as most of Government House is under renovation.

Ms Smith's car then led a horn-honking motorcade of around 17 cars past cheering crowds lining the route along North Shore Road, Glebe Road, St.

Monica's Road, Palmetto Road and Parsons Road.

But the crowd thickened drastically when the fleet pulled on to Court Street, where a cheering throng swamped her green sedan.

Smith sworn in as Premier Plans for Ms Smith and her team to walk from the Alaska Hall party Headquarters to Cabinet Office were abandoned, probably because of the teeming crowds.

Amid a party atmosphere, Ms Smith greeted her new Parliamentary team on the steps of Cabinet Office before addressing the lunchtime hordes of people gathered on the lawn outside.

She said: "I want to thank all of you for coming to show your support.'' And Ms Smith signalled her intention to get straight down to the business of running a Country.

She told the throng: "We have work to do -- we've not been able to enjoy it yet, except through you.

"I thank you for coming -- we're going to go to work and those of you who also have to go to work should do so.'' But she promised: "We will celebrate -- but right now we have work to do because we want to give you what we promised, a new Bermuda.''