equestrian centre.

Last week the Bermuda Equestrian Centre told Government they would not lodge an appeal after planners rejected the proposals for the site in Vesey Street in Devonshire.

The National Trust welcomed the news and said they hoped the Parks Department would push ahead with an idea to make it into a nature reserve for everyone to enjoy.

They had objected to the Bermuda Equestrian Federation plan because it would have wiped out woodland reserve and precious bird habitat as well as Devonshire Marsh. The National Trust's Amanda Outerbridge said: "It's very good news that this development is not going ahead.

"It's a significant tract of woodland that we believe must be protected as part of our natural heritage.'' She said: "The Parks Department have plans to make it more accessible.'' Bermuda Equestrian Centre President Michael Cherry: "We decided not to apply because we thought we wouldn't win.

"We still feel we need bigger facilities than what we have right now.

He said extra flat space was needed for racing ponies.

"We have a track but it's not quite up to standard and it's a funny shape but we can make do with what we have.

"But we still have a decent arena and we can compete in jumping and dressage on international level. Pony racing is not an international event although a lot of people race ponies.'' David Lopes, Vice President of the Driving Horses and Ponies Club, said the plan had been dead in the water ever since it was announced that the BEF needed to eat into more than three acres of precious woodland to the east of the site.

He said: "When it first came up I was told we needed 60 to 80 feet of the hillside to make the track a quarter of a mile long. But then I was told we needed three acres and I knew it was doomed.'' The bigger track would have ironed out tight corners for pony harness racing.

Mr. Lopes added: "It does affect us. It would be nice to have a bigger track.

Our track is small and a bit dangerous but we have to go with what we have got.

"People have take it carefully round the sharp corners.'' However he said the decision to allow floodlights at the centre meant more use could be made of the facilities with night racing possible next summer once the lights had been installed by the Autumn.

"People in Bermuda are always looking for something to do in the evening.

This is a clean, healthy sport -- it's a family thing.''