Thanks to a British visitor, the historic birdcage on Front Street will once again be occupied by a white-gloved bobby directing traffic.

The family of the late Mr. Fred Bradfield of England, who was a frequent visitor to the Island, has set up a trust fund to pay for a Police officer to man the birdcage during the summer months for three hours, five mornings a week.

The sight of a bobby in the birdcage had impressed Mr. Bradfield on his visits, his family told the Corporation of Hamilton in setting up the fund.

Delighted Police Commissioner Mr. Lenny Edwards believes the return of the Policeman on duty will be a big image booster for the Force.

Apart from helping to direct the flow of traffic and providing a Police presence on Front Street, a bobby in the birdcage will be a unique photo opportunity for the Island's visitors, he said.

The sight of the blue and white cage with a Bermuda roof and uniformed Policeman inside was already causing a stir on Front Street yesterday morning when the first officer of the season took up his post.

Corporation of Hamilton secretary Mr. Roger Sherratt commented: "It was like sugar around a beehive.'' Deputy Mayor Mr. William Boyle said past Tourism Department surveys had shown the birdcage was the second most-photographed tourist sight in Bermuda.

But it had not been regularly manned for several years, Mr. Edwards said. An officer was first posted at the spot in the 1920s to direct carriages and pedal cycles.

The birdcage was not built until 30 years later. It was regularly manned by a Police officer until Queen Street was made into a one-way road. After that, a bobby was occasionally spotted in the birdcage, but mostly for the benefit of visitors.

The Commissioner said he had tried to have an officer posted regularly at the birdcage when he was appointed two years ago, but could not find the manpower.

With the rise in crime, especially drug dealing, there had been a great deal of redeployment of officers, he said.

He was "elated'' after the Corporation told him of the trust fund. "I recognise it's an important tourist sight and it's great for Police image,'' he said.

HE'S BACK! -- A bobby once again directs traffic from the birdcage.