return for as little as $10, it was claimed last night.

They are said to hang about Front Street and around the back of town targeting men, especially those known to be gay, offering a variety of sex acts in exchange for cash.

A 39-year-old bisexual man, who did not wish to be named, told The Royal Gazette he was tired of being approached by men eager to sell themselves because they needed to score more drugs.

The Warwick man said: "Bermuda is a very small place and people probably know that I'm bisexual, so they take it upon themselves to approach me.

"They think that because I'm bisexual I would do anything for sex -- it's disgusting. I have never done that and I never would. All they want is money for drugs and they will do anything to get it.

"They proposition me and demand about $50 for sexual favours. Some are so desperate, when I refuse to get involved they drop their price continually until they are willing to take as little as $10. It's wrong they are approaching people and I'm beginning to get intimidated by it.'' Drug counsellors and Police confirmed to The Gazette that they were aware of the problem of men trying to sell sexual favours for drug money.

The anonymous man who complained about being propositioned said he was first approached just over a year ago.

He said the indecent proposals were beginning to be made more frequently and he was concerned that one day he would face physical agression. He added he was not the only person to be approached and that he knew a number of gay men who had been propositioned -- some of them agreeing to pay for sex.

A Police spokeswoman said officers were aware of male prostition on the Island, but she denied that it was a major concern.

She added: "We are aware that it exists because we have had some complaints.

When a complaint is made we investigate it.

"However, we are not aware that it is a huge problem.'' Dr. Derek Binns, chief executive officer of the National Drug Commission, said prostitution for drug money had previously only ever been associated with women.

He added: "The act of procuring drugs by carrying out sexual favours is not limited to females any longer. We know that it goes on in Bermuda. The people working in our field who talk to people on drugs are being told what is going on. It may not always be for actual cash -- sometimes it is for the actual product, which ever drug it might be.