hundreds of people at a special public forum tonight.

More than 400 guests are expected at the "Constitutional'' Forum at St.

Paul's Centennial Hall in Hamilton.

And the organisers -- the Friends of Montserrat Coalition -- will use the event to begin a fundraising programme for the volcano-hit Caribbean island.

A pop and reggae concert, planned for Hamilton in mid-December, is one of a series of charity events being organised by the Montserrat Coalition.

Fundraisers aim to collect thousands of dollars for people made homeless after the island's volcano blew this summer.

Event organiser Rolfe Commissiong said: "We want to do as much as we possibly can to help the people of Montserrat and we are still waiting for a reply after sending a petition to the British Government.

"Our next aim will be to start a public awareness campaign and stage even more forums to discuss all issues affecting dependent territory citizenship.'' He also said the public's views on independence, long-term residence and Bermudian status would be passed on to Governor Thorold Masefield.

Mr. Commissiong added: "The UK Government is to review British dependent territories in February and it's important that all the people of Bermuda can have their own say.

"The Bermudian Government and Opposition are able to make representations but we feel major non-governmental organisations also have a democratic right to have their opinions aired before the review.

"Prime Minister Tony Blair is getting fully behind the democratic process in the UK, allowing devolution for Scotland and Wales.

"If democracy is good enough for them, it is good enough for Bermuda and the other dependent territories.'' They have invited three Bermuda MPs -- Alex Scott, Ewart Brown and Trevor Moniz -- to speak at tonight's meeting, which begins at 7.30 p.m.

FUND RAISER FNR GOVERNMENT GVT