Bermuda's chartered surveyors are being encouraged to enter their recent work for an international award recognising sustainable development projects.

The Bermuda Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors offers the RICS award along with more than 100 other countries.

It is "designed to encourage and recognise outstanding work in the field of conservation and enhancement of the world's built and natural environments'', according to a BRICS Press release.

This year the award will be presented by HRH The Prince of Wales at the RICS' headquarters in London.

"Entry for the award in encouraged from any individual, organisation or school that can demonstrate outstanding achievement in three categories,'' the Press release explained.

Award categories include: Building Conservation , honouring outstanding achievement in the conservation of a single building structure or a group of building structures and covers renovation or conversion to new or original use.

Regeneration , for projects that have made a marked improvement in areas of urban, rural or coastal decay.

Building Efficiency , for projects that demonstrate the efficient use of materials and energy in providing a sustainable environment.

"The categories are broad enough to ensure that every aspect of urban and rural regeneration is recognised,'' the Press release said.

"Value for money is fundamental to the success of every winning entry, regardless of scale; in respect of both capital expenditure and lifetime running costs.'' Winners will receive a trophy; a certificate; a plaque for their own use; brochures for them to distribute as they see fit and photos of the awards ceremony for their own use.

The winners will be publicised in the brochure, in the RICS professional journals and in the local press.

Projects are only eligible if they were completed (for practical purposes) between January 1, 1997 and April 28, this year.

Entries are free but they must be in by Friday, April 14.

For more information or an application form call BRICS chairman Mark A.

Griffin at 297-7612 or e-mail him at pignrope y ibl.bm.

AWARDS AWD