St. George's may know as early as tomorrow whether or not they have been recognised as a United Nations World Heritage Site and join a list of more than 600 which already exist around the world.

The United Nations World Heritage Committee, a branch of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), began its 24th annual meeting in Cairns, Australia this week.

Mayor of St. George's Henry Hayward said no local delegates were attending the meeting but noted that the East End town's proposal was in and he thought a decision would be made soon.

The committee seeks to protect the world's most precious natural and cultural sites. The job has become harder due to rapid development associated to more modern and global demands which creates conflict with conservation efforts.

It will announce additions to its list of natural and cultural heritage sites on Thursday. There are now 630 sites of "outstanding universal value'' in 118 countries on the list.

St. George's was first settled by survivors of the wrecked Sea Venture in 1609. It served as the Island's capital until 1815 and is now recognised as the oldest, continuously inhabited English settlement in the New World.

The town's application to UNESCO to become a World Heritage Site was placed on a short-list by the group and British Culture Secretary Chris Smith said it would be one of only two formal applications from the UK and its overseas territories for the year.

The other nomination was the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape in South Wales.

The submission was initiated by the St. George's Foundation and put together by a partnership of it, the Corporation of St. George's, the Bermuda National Trust, the Bermuda Maritime Museum, the Forts Division of the Bermuda Parks Department and the Planning Department.