Taxi driver Gilbert Pearman, who has charmed visitors with his encyclopaedic knowledge of Bermuda, has been named this year's Visitor Industry Partnership (VIP) Sunshine award overall winner.

Mr. Pearman picked up the top award at the Bermuda Hotel Association and VIP Tourism dinner at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess last Saturday.

He was given two American Airlines tickets for the people who nominated him, plus a four night stay for them at Ariel Sands, and an extra two AA tickets to bring some friends to the Island.

Four people are selected each year, based on nominations from visitors, for people who have gone the extra mile to make tourists feel at home when they visit Bermuda.

Travel writer Gay Martin wrote of Mr. Pearman: "He is a most extraordinary man. It is obvious he knows and loves his island, and it is also obvious that Bermuda casts a spell...but stunning beauty alone does not account for the ingenious magic.

"No, Mark Twain's heaven also owes that spellbinding charm to its people like Gilbert."