cancelled its funding for Sesame Street, the world-wide acclaimed children's show.

The last episode here of the long-running television show will be aired on April 24 at noon12 p.m. after budgetary constraints made cutbacks to the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs necessary.

"I grew up on Sesame Street,'' a mother who asked to remain anonymous said.

"And I would love my daughter to grow up on it as well. It's a shame they're taking it off public television. It's the only pre-school programme on.

Everything else is rubbish.'' The woman said she and a couple of her friends who are also mothers are now waiting for permission from the Corporation of Hamilton before circulating a petition in front of the Hamilton Library.

"My daughter is only four months old,'' she said, "but even now she's interested in listening to the show. She sings along as I sing the songs to her.'' The mother said a representative of Bermuda Broadcasting Company (BBC) told her a public opinion poll the company held found most people wanted the educational programme kept on the air.

BBC general manager Mr. Malcolm Fletcher said the company's `tele-call' received over 4,000 responses to three questions asked on three different days.

He said 767 parents said their children watched Sesame Street on Channel 9, while 578 said theirs did not.

When asked if the present time is convenient or if 4 p.m. would be better, 661 parents said 4 p.m. and 521 said noon.

A 1,620 majority thought the show should continue while 181 did not. Mr.

Fletcher said the poll's results were sent to Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs the Hon. Leonard Gibbons.

"We hope Government are able to reconsider this programme in the interest of the children,'' he said. "We've been getting calls here on a daily basis, numerous people asking why we can't continue the show. It's been on continuously for 22 years but without funding, we can't continue to sustain the project.'' He added that a replacement had not yet been found and that it would not necessarily be a children's programme.

Mr. Gibbons said for the past year, Government has paid for the show to be aired three times a week at a cost of $44,000, with the BBC providing for the remaining two days.

He said a survey found nursery schools were not interested enough to justify continued spending on Government's part and it was suggested that BBC look around for sponsors to maintain the show.

"There just was not enough interest,'' he said. "It's on cable three times a day and 65 percent of all homes have cable. To our knowledge it wasn't successful and we couldn't justify the money. Government is not in the business of running television programmes.'' Mr. Gibbons added that there are videos and children's programmes available at the Bermuda Library at a cost of $1 per day.

"I'm sorry it had to go but I don't think the majority of people are concerned about it. I've only had one phone call, one letter and a lady spoke to me on the street yesterday about it. If the public want it, obviously ZBM should be quite successful in obtaining sponsors.''