bid to be the next president of the United States.

During a lunchtime poll in the city, just two of 17 people said they wanted Perot -- owner of a huge estate in Tucker's Town -- to win today's presidential election.

President George Bush emerged as the local favourite. But Democrat Governor Bill Clinton, leading US polls, came a close second.

"He seems more down to earth,'' Miss Bermuda Colita Joseph said of Clinton, adding, "I don't really trust Ross Perot.'' Several residents said they had more confidence in Clinton's ability to run America than the President's or Perot's.

Ms Gail Mocklow, an American working in international business, would vote for Clinton because she did not think Bush could turn the ailing economy around.

"He's already had four years,'' she pointed out.

Briton Miss Maria Branson called Bush weak.

And Mr. Eversley Lewis said he wanted Clinton to win because he did not believe Bush was handling the job very well.

Others wanted Clinton to win simply because they did not like Bush and wanted change.

"Not Bush -- so the other one,'' Mr. David Simmons said. "It's someone else's turn.'' PTB worker Mr. Randolph Brangman said: "I'm not too fussy about Bush. I think Clinton's the best bet.'' Residents supporting Bush wanted him to remain president because they trusted him.

They praised the way he had dealt with international affairs and were confident he would soon be turning his attention to domestic affairs.

"He's somewhat older than the others and I feel he knows more than they,'' Mrs. Dianne White said."I'd feel more secure with him.'' Mr. Fred Contrata, an American auditor working here, had just voted for Bush by absentee ballot. "There's no other choice,'' he explained.

Mr. Eugene McGruder said, "I like what he speaks of -- jobs creation and all that.'' Bank manager Mr. Charles Gunn said he thought Bush was much better than the other two candidates when it came to international affairs. He added: "Now that he's taken care of international affairs, he will probably spend more time dealing with domestic incidents.'' "I know him and I trust him,'' florist Mrs. Natalia Madeiros said. "Perot, I'm not sure about -- he's backed out once before.'' Mrs. Madeiros seriously doubted whether Perot could turn around the economy as fast as he claimed.

Exempted company employee Ms Anna Fortuna said Bush seemed the more sincere of the two, while Mrs. Doris Rankin said Bush was the more stable.

Neither of the three candidates appealed to white collar worker Mr. Roderick Spenser, who said: "If there was a fourth choice I'd pick them.'' Englishman Mr. John Smith felt the same way. But one thing he knew was: "Perot has no chance.'' However, restaurant and frame shop owner Mr. Michael Swan said he believed in the Texan billionaire.

"I'd want either him or Bush to win,'' he said. "I'm not ready for a baby boomer to be running the US.'' Artist Mr. Elmore Warren also favoured Perot.

"He's not a politician. He's a person who is interested in getting the economy back in order which is what is needed,'' he said.

Miss Colita Joseph Ms Gail Mocklow Mr. David Simmons Mr. Fred Contrata Mrs. Natalia Madeiros Mr. Michael Swan.