FRED and Barbara White are Bermuda's ultimate repeat visitors.

After falling in love with the island when they first visited in 1961, the American couple have returned a staggering 80 times.

"We've been to Bermuda 80 times - at least," said Mrs. White, speaking from the couple's room at their hotel of choice in recent years, the Fourways Inn.

"We've come every year since 1961, normally twice a year and sometimes three times."

Mr. White, a 74-year-old retired bartender and his wife, a 66-year-old retired nurse, live in the small town of Westbridge Water, south of Boston, in Massachusetts.

Their frequent visits to the island have turned them into that rarest of sporting types, American cricket fans. "We come for Cup Match every year," said Mrs. White. "We go to the game and I support Somerset and Fred supports St. George's, so we always win."

"Usually, we only travel to Bermuda, although sometimes we go to England - to see people we met in Bermuda who have moved."

So what is the magic ingredient that keeps them coming back?

"It's the people, they're so nice," said Mrs. White. "We've got to know so many people here. They're so friendly and many of them have invited us to their homes. We've been to three weddings here."

She described her favourite pastime while on the island as "sitting at the Flagpole and watching the traffic" as well as "running into people we know".

Naturally, the Whites plan to return.

"We'll keep coming back here as long as we can afford it," said Mrs. White.