A partnership deal with American Express has reaped benefits for Bermuda tourism.

Marketing arrangements with the credit card company has given the Island access to overseas markets and larger audiences for its products.

Last year, $100,000 was spent in partnership with the company on a direct marketing campaign.

Tourism director Gary Phillips said a deal for this year had yet to be worked out but he was expecting them to come up with proposals for a advertising campaign.

Many hotels also worked in partnership with American Express, which markets itself as Bermuda's official credit card.

The company has won the 1998 Credit Card Company of the Year in the Caribbean by Caribbean World magazine -- which is an inflight magazine for British Airways and other carriers.

The partnership, which allows Bermuda to pool resources with a strategic alliance, promotes the Island with tourism and the quality of tourism experience.

REGIMENT TRAINING MIL Regiment training Devonshire and St. George's residents could be in for a noisy weekend when the Bermuda Regiment soldiers begin exercises involving flares and explosives.

Tomorrow evening, rocket flares will light up the sky in the area of Ferry Reach Park, St. George's and thunder flashes will be used.

Thunder flashes and blank ammunition will also be used by soldiers training in the area of Vesey Street and the Cable and Wireless Station in Devonshire between Friday evening and Sunday morning.

Other Regiment units will be operating in the area of the former US Navy Annex in Southampton on Saturday but no public disturbance is expected.

Bermuda Regiment public relations officer Lt. Stephen Caton said: "We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but the training is necessary.'' THIRD CHURCH HIT CRM CHU Third church hit A third church has fallen victim to thieves this week.

Police reported that the Faith Tabernacle Church on Malabar road in Sandys was unlawfully entered on Wednesday through a forced open office door.

A thorough search of the property was made but it appears that nothing was stolen.

On Monday, two Court Street churches were targeted by criminals.

St. Andrew's Church was unlawfully entered, although nothing was stolen, and vandals smashed three windows at St. Paul AME Church.

BANNED RIDER CAUGHT CTS Banned rider caught Driving an auxiliary cycle while disqualified cost an 18-year-old Middle Road, Southampton man $500 in Magistrates' Court.

Student Donald Forde was further disqualified from driving auxiliary or motorcycles for another year by Magistrate Edward King as part of his sentence.

Forde pleaded guilty on Wednesday to driving an auxiliary cycle on Parson's Road in Pembroke on February 24, of last year, while disqualified.

He was nabbed after being involved in a minor accident which attracted the attention of patrolling Police officers who then discovered he was disqualified.

Forde has since paid for the damages he inflicted on the other vehicle involved in the accident.

KITCHEN FIRE PUT OUT FIR Kitchen fire put out A faulty dishwasher cost $10,000 worth of damage to a Southampton residence.

Fire Services spokesman Lt. Jon Thompson said five firefighters and officials rushed to the home on Camp Hill shortly before 6 a.m on Wednesday.

They arrived to find that the fire, which involved the dishwasher, has spread to counter tops, a microwave, and kitchen cabinets.

CAR STEREO STOLEN CRM Car stereo stolen A grey stereo speaker box containing two large car audio speakers were taken from an insecure, unattended Ford Laser motorcar earlier this week.

Police reported that the car was parked outside the owner's residence on Orchard Grove in Pembroke when the theft occurred.