is not mentioned in the tourist guides.

This week many visitors walked by local men smoking drugs and drinking liquor in broad daylight in the streets and near to the docks of the Old Town.

And local shopkeepers have complained that the drinkers often urinate in public view.

While the drinkers tend to hide their alcohol in paper bags, one man was seen rolling a reefer on Somers Wharf in full view of everyone.

Drinkers visit a local liquor store to buy their beer and are given single brown paper bags allowing them to hide the beer.

Then they sit on walls in groups as parties of visitors walk by, some on guided tours of the old capital.

One store owner complained: "They drink the beer on Water Street or on Somers Wharf. They even urinate in full view of everyone.

"We have complained before but this has been going on for years. It is certainly upsetting for people walking by.'' Other store owners believe the open drunkenness of some of the drinkers could be detrimental to all the efforts to encourage tourists to St. George's this summer.

Yesterday a large group of visitors were being taken on a guided tour of the town while only yards away five men were sitting on a wall drinking liquor.

And visitors on their way to shops or eating places had to stroll by the drinkers in broad daylight.

The store owner said: "It does happen in the afternoon but often it gets worse at nights.'' Police Community Relations Officer, Sgt. John Dale said that the Police were concerned about drinking in public, which was not confined to St.

George's.

Sgt. Dale said: "We do receive complaints from time to time about this sort of thing and we do take action against these people.

"We sympathise with the shop owners because of the effect it has on the image of St. George's.

"All our officers in the Eastern Division are aware of the main offenders and we appreciate calls from local business people.

"We would ask these people who do drink in public carrying their booze in brown paper bags to desist.'' DRINKING IN THE SUN -- Drinking liquor in public is illegal in Bermuda. All three of these men were drinking from beer bottles in brown paper bags while visitors ate just 50 feet away.