Bermuda Day Rule.

Director Mr. Lowdru Robinson said there had been a misunderstanding over reports that recorded music had been banned.

Organisers were simply encouraging the use of live bands to accompany floats and majorette performances, he said.

They were also trying to discourage so-called "sound truck'' entries, which were not usually decorated and blasted loud music from huge speakers along the parade route.

"Our intention was simply to encourage and promote the use of live music,'' Parade rule explained are being asked to use live music if possible. If an entry in the parade requires recorded music because it's part of their entry, then we would not have a problem with that. Our intention was never to ban recorded music from the parade.'' Certain skating and majorette groups had already been given the go-ahead to use recorded music in their routines, he said.

Mr. Robinson was responding to a charge by Shadow Community Affairs Minister Mr. Reginald Burrows that banning sound systems would make this year's parade a "travesty''.

Mr. Burrows, particularly concerned there would be a lack of reggae music in the parade, said the new rule would hit young people and exclude a large part of the Island's cultural blend.

The new rule, along with other changes to the May 24 Bermuda Day Parade, were announced by Community Affairs Minister the Hon. Leonard Gibbons earlier this month.

He said spectators had complained that recorded music was drowning out live bands.