Government remains hopeful that they will be able to send representatives to a major world environment conference as part of a British delegation, despite concerns in the UK that the contingent is already too large.

It is understood that Bermuda was the only overseas territory to ask to send officials to the World Summit on Sustainable Development, which will be sponsored by the United Nations and takes place in Johannesburg, South Africa between August 26 and September 4th.

Although Government applied last August to be part of the British delegation, which will be led by Prime Minister Tony Blair, it seems that Bermuda may lose out simply because the UK team is already 120-strong.

Deputy Governor Tim Gurney said: "The request is currently with UK government and we have detected concerns about the size of the delegation. We know the matter is still being pursued by them though.

He added: "We have been trying to push Bermuda's case pretty hard in this and we're always hopeful that we will be included."

Ministry of Environment Permanent Secretary Brian Rowlinson said Government remained "hopeful" that Britain would allow Minister Dennis Lister to represent the Island, if possible along with a technical officer.

He said: "Although there would be no official role for Bermuda, we feel that it would still be very useful if there was someone from the Island there so we are able to hear the latest on global issues, such as climate or sea-level changes, which are going to affect us."

Britain signed an Environmental Charter with its overseas territories in September last year in which the UK pledged "to keep Bermuda informed regarding new developments in relevant multilateral environmental agreements and invite Bermuda to participate where appropriate in the UK's delegation to international environmental negotiations and conferences."