The Royal Gazette believes that it was the subject of what is known as a "denial of service" attack by computer hackers designed to crash the website.

Additional measures have now been taken to restore service and protect the website, and these will be continually improved upon. An investigation has also been launched into who was responsible for the attack.

"We are tremendously disappointed that someone has decided to attack our website and deny our readers in Bermuda and abroad up to date news on the Island, especially in the middle of an election campaign," Editor Bill Zuill said last night.

"This is a violation of international Internet ethics rules and of the laws of many countries. We will be making every effort to find out who was responsible.