You wouldn't quite describe it as a sea of yellow, but enough PATI fans entered into the spirit of Wear Yellow Day to give Sunshine Week a great send-off on Thursday.

Showing their support for public access to information and open government, people donned shirts, ties, scarves, sweaters, skirts, ribbons and even trousers in the colour of the sun.

A few were in yellow by coincidence without realising it was Wear Yellow Day; while some non-participants said the only reason they didn't wear yellow was that they had no idea it was Wear Yellow Day.

They must have missed the free publicity on the radio.

On a visit into town, The Royal Gazette observed yellow tie wearers exchanging knowing nods as they passed in the street, while one elderly couple were spotted in matching yellow suits, complete with yellow hats, as they made their way along Par-La-Ville in a car.

In the interests of balance, this newspaper's vox pop team was under strict orders to speak to an equal number of yellow-clad and non-yellow clad people during a 40-minute tour of Hamilton. Unfortunately, that approach is not reflected in this article as only one non-yellow wearer was happy to talk to us — the rest sending us packing with a variety of excuses.

In fairness it probably wasn't surprising that yellow wearers — who had spent the day openly supporting our campaign — were happier to have their picture in the paper.

Tony Hay, from Southampton, who was wearing a yellow shirt, said: "I generally support the idea of public access to information. It was easy to do, just to put on a yellow shirt."

His friend, yellow-bloused Lisa Bean, from Devonshire, was taking part more for the fun of Wear Yellow Day. "When I saw they were asking people to wear yellow, I thought: 'I don't mind that.' Yellow's a nice colour," she said.

Natasha Dowling, from Southampton, was sporting a yellow coat and scarf. She said: "I like the whole concept of wearing yellow in respect of this issue. There's so many things that go on we don't know about."

Dean Minors was wearing a yellow T-shirt and belt, but only by chance. "What's Wear Yellow Day?" he said. "I like yellow, it's my favourite colour."

Told people were being asked to wear yellow to support Sunshine Week and transparency, Mr. Minors replied: "I think that's cool."

Pam Fraser, from Hamilton Parish, who had a yellow scarf, said: "I believe in transparency and that they should report to the public what's going on."

Nikki Thomas-Bell, from Devonshire, who was wearing a yellow top, said: "I figured — why not?"

Another in a yellow top, Denice Rego, from Smith's, said: "I support PATI legislation because we all have a right to know, so we can make an informed decision about who we put in power."

Ernest Baker, from Southampton, went for a white shirt and black coat. Explaining that he didn't know it was Wear Yellow Day, he said of PATI: "I'm for it."

We also met one expat in a bright yellow sweater who feared being included in our vox pop could scupper his hopes of a work permit renewal, and a woman who was wearing a yellow skirt in support of Easter was opposed to PATI.

HSBC employee Kim Shields e-mailed us to say: "I fully support the Right To Know campaign. We have the right to know what is going on, and what decisions will affect our daily lives as well as our families, friends and communities.

"There were quite a few of us in the office today wearing yellow. Can we have a yellow day once a month? Let's say ... the first Monday of each Month ... until we are heard! I loved yellow day! It would be great to see more of us supporting this campaign! Please consider it..."

Those not joining in the fun included Public Safety Minister David Burch, who informed Thursday morning's Hott 107.5 listeners that he was NOT wearing yellow underpants.

The Royal Gazette's A Right To Know: Giving People Power campaign is calling for PATI legislation to be passed in 2008. Sunshine Week is a US idea aimed at opening up dialogue about the importance of transparency, accountability and giving people the ability to get hold of information which affects their lives.

Do you think PATI legislation should be passed in 2008? E-mail arighttoknow@royalgazette.bm.