"proliferation of illegal signs, posters, banners and billboards'' on the Island.

"We all recognise the need for businesses and services to identify themselves and to advertise their products,'' Environment Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons told reporters.

"However, excessive numbers of signs merely cancel each other out and are in poor taste. One of the traditional aspects of Bermuda which residents and visitors value is the absence of large numbers of unsightly signs and advertisements.'' The Minister, who claimed to be responding to "growing concern within the Planning Department and throughout the community at large'', said Government would be attacking the problem by adding an extra person to the Department's enforcement section and by sending letters out to "the most flagrant offenders'' of the Advertisements Regulation Act.

The Act, passed in 1911, strictly controls the display of signs and advertisements in public places.

"The Act has served us well,'' Mr. Simons said. "But it's time to clarify the law, simplify it, make it easier to understand. There are areas that can be improved upon, particularly in the administration of the Act.'' The Act, Mr. Simons said, prohibits all public signs with the exception of the following: Notices of meetings, auctions, sales or events when displayed on the land or property where they are to take place; Notices of the sale or lease of a particular piece of land; Governmental proclamations or announcements; Advertisements in the display window of a shop; Advertisements inside a building; The business name of a company, firm or person and the general character of the business on the outside of the business in letters no greater than 15 inches in height or width.

The Act does not allow signs that "break the skyline or roofline'' when viewed from a public place, flashing or illuminated signs, the use of "sandwich board'' men and signs that describe a product for sale.

A brochure which summarises the Act is currently available in the Planning Department and at the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs.