Bermudian conservation projects could benefit from a new environment protection fund for overseas territories which was unveiled yesterday.

A $4.5 million (?3 million) fund from the Foreign Office is designed to help eco-systems threatened with destruction.

All overseas territories will be able to apply for grants from the fund, called the Overseas territories Environment Programme.

Environment Permanent Secretary Brian Rowlinson said yesterday: "The details have been circulated to Government departments and non-government organisations and I expect there to be a good interest.

"It will be pretty competitive because some overseas territories are more in need of seed money than Bermuda."

Organisations on the Island hoping to win the cash will need to circulate their proposals to Government House.