In order to crack down on misinformed tours of Bermuda's old capital, the Corporation of St. George's yesterday announced a special tour guide certification scheme.

Mayor of St. George's the Wor. Henry Hayward said tour guides who wished to be certified had to take a written test and complete a practical demonstration.

Mr. David Raine, a councillor in the Corporation, said the practical demonstration would consist of the applicant taking Corporation members and the mayor on a tour of the Old Towne.

The Corporation was trying to "make sure the tours are accurate in terms of content and the way that St. George's is presented'', he said.

Concerns had been expressed at Corporation meetings that people who knew little about St. George's were conducting tours.

"They will have to know the history of St. George's, street names and names of major buildings,'' Mr. Hayward said. "There are plenty of books available that they can study from and we are issuing a leaflet so they would have some idea of what was expected.'' Anyone who is interested should contact the Corporation secretary on 297-1532.

Mayor Henry Hayward