Government is chewing over whether to grant an extra holiday as a mark of respect for the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

The 50th anniversary of the Queen's reign is being marked with an extra day off in Britain on June 3, leading to calls for Bermuda to follow suit.

A Government spokeswoman said yesterday: "Government is considering all the options. Nothing has been decided.

"They don't know whether it will take the form of holiday or just what the celebrations will be. Nothing has been ruled in or out."

She said the effect on the economy of extra time off would have to considered.

Local royalist and historian Joyce Hall said the Government should do something to recognise the Queen's 50th anniversary and a holiday featuring a military tattoo would be a good way to celebrate.

She said British troops should come over and amalgamate with the Bermuda Regiment for a military tournament. But Independence advocate Walton Brown said even the current one-day annual holiday for the Queen was an anachronism. This year it falls on June 10.

He said: "We have a celebration for a queen who's not even alive - Queen Victoria from the 19th Century, that's what needs to be changed rather than celebrate another queen.

"It's a remnant of the imperial era that needs to be replaced with a national symbol."

The situation contrasts with the UK which doesn't usually schedule a holiday for the Queen. Mr. Brown said: "We need a ceremony so Bermudians from all sectors of society can celebrate to bring about a greater sense of identity and unity. The Bermuda Day was one attempt - that could be enhanced."

He said the June holiday should be a day when local heroes were lauded for their contributions to the Island, replacing the current honours system.