Interviews for the new job of Director of Public Prosecutions started yesterday.

And it is understood at least three hopefuls were seen by a special interview panel set up to select the lawyer who will head up the Crown's criminal work.

But the announcement of the successful candidate for the $113,000-a-year job could take until the end of the summer.

Last night Deputy Governor Tim Gurney -- who is a member of the selection panel -- said an early announcement of the successful candidate was not on the cards.

Mr. Gurney said: "There are a few more interviews to do and we have to set dates for them.

"We want to make sure we move speedily to choose someone -- but we don't want to rush it. We want to get it right.

"It will take a few weeks to conclude the interviews and the announcment will take a bit longer than that.'' Mr. Gurney was reluctant to put a timescale on the appointment -- but admitted: "Realistically, it could take a couple of months. We would hope to have an announcement before the end of the summer.'' The panel which interviews the candidates makes a recommendation to Governor Thorold Masefield, with supporting documentation.

But the results of the panel's deliberation are forwarded to London, where UK Foreign Secretary Robin Cook will make the final decision on the winner of the contest.

The Royal Gazette reported exclusively earlier this week that the first interviews were set to take place.

The special panel, also includes Chief Justice Austin Ward, Bermuda Bar Association chairman Richard Hector and Personnel Services director Judith Hall-Bean.

It is understood that the panel decided to at first concentrate on the on-Island candidates among the up-to-a-dozen applicants for the job.

According to legal sources, the majority of the candidates for the job were from overseas.

Chief Justice Austin Ward, who was due to be in Supreme Court yesterday, announced on Wednesday that he would have to adjourn the day's proceedings until later so that he could interview candidates for the DPP's post.

The DPP's post has to be created due to the appointment of PLP veteran Lois Browne Evans to the role of the Island's first political Attorney-General in modern times.

Public service Attorneys-General in Bermuda previously combined criminal work with being the main legal advisers to Government.

But Mrs. Browne Evans will handle civil cases against Government and give legal advice to Cabinet.

The English-style DPP is needed to separate the criminal and civil aspects of the job to avoid potential conflicts of interest.