Organisers of the Christmas Boat Parade are hoping for a record turnout this year when the event gets underway on December 11.

The current number of entries stands at 62 ? although event spokesperson Ian Coles said yesterday that it is still not too late to enter.

While he conceded that entry levels had been disappointing of late, even before the destruction wrought by Hurricane Fabian, Mr. Coles was very hopeful that the event was back on track.

"We saw the number of entries decline slightly in 2001 and 2002," he said. "Then Hurricane Fabian hit in 2003 and many boats were damaged or boat owners had other priorities. With these declining numbers we did have some concerns this year but I have to say the response from the community has been wonderful."

Several large corporate firms are entering this year, including the Bank of Bermuda, XL Capital, Butterfield and Vallis, Bermuda Air Conditioning, The Market Place and Capital G.

The parade will set sail from the Fairmont Hamilton Princess at 6.30 p.m. with organisers expecting at least 20,000 spectators.

Hamilton Harbour will be shut to all boat traffic after 5.30 p.m.

Anybody wishing to enter the parade is asked to visit the event's website at www.boatparade.bm or telephone 295-0530.

A woman charged with shoplifting $70 worth of jewellery from A.S. Cooper & Sons Ltd. was cleared in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Carla Martin was stopped by the store's security personnel on November 5 as she exited the premises with two small pieces jewellery in her pocket.

Ms Martin explained to the court that she was carrying a number of other items and had placed the jewellery into her pocket in order to carry them to the cash register.

It was only when a security guard apprehended her outside that she remembered the items were still in her possession.

"This whole thing was truly unintentional," Ms Martin said.

"I've never done anything like this before and it was honestly just a stupid mistake."

Taking into account Ms Martin's "good character", Assistant Justice Archibald Warner said the incident had clearly been a case of "forgetfulness" rather than "malice" and ordered her to be discharged.

The Bermuda Junior Chamber's annual Christmas Parade will take place in Hamilton on Sunday.

The parade, which includes over 30 participants this year, will begin south on Par-la-Ville Road, proceed east along Front Street, north on Court Street, and finally west along Church Street.

Highlights will include trained dogs performing tricks, majorettes, bikers, gombeys, Miss Teen Bermuda and Santa Claus.

Spectators are encouraged to use the Bull's Head Car Park as there will be no parking at the car park on Par-La-Ville Road.

A sum of $50 was stolen from a residence in Stardust Drive, Hamilton on Wednesday.

The incident is believed to have been carried out between the hours of 8 a.m and 7 p.m, although the Police have yet to identify as suspect. Police attended another incident of breaking and entering on Wednesday at a house at Welcome Place, Southampton.

The culprit stole $300 in coins as well as several pieces of gold jewellery.

Longbird Bridge is up and running again today after it took a blow from Hurricane Fabian. The bridge, located on The Causeway, has been undergoing extensive repairs from damage caused by Hurricane Fabian and will recommence normal operations using the winter timetable, said the Ministry of Works and Engineering last night.

The bridge will open to marine traffic every half-hour from 8 a.m. ? 11 a.m. and from 3 p.m. ? 5 p.m. All drivers are reminded to observe the road traffic signals.

Barbados tourism minister Noel Lynch is guest speaker at a dinner tomorrow night to celebrate Barbados' 38th anniversary of independence at the Harmony Club Hotel in Paget.