country team who won a bronze medal while competing in the CAC Cross Country Championships in Grenada.

Premier David Saul led the cheers for the group which included runners Jay Donawa, Mike Watson, Tracy Wright, Jamal Hart and Calvin Steede plus national coach Gerry Swan.

Their "remarkable run'' marked the first time a medal had been captured in the event, said Dr. Saul.

DECEMBER SALES FALL GVT December sales fall Christmas shoppers failed to fill retailers' stockings as the amount spent in December fell compared to previous years.

However for the whole of 1996, shop owners saw more spending compared to 1995, latest figures show.

Yesterday Government released statistics charting the amount spent in Bermuda's shops over the whole of 1996 as well as for December alone.

They show that for the whole of last year the estimated value of retail sales was $508 million -- a rise of 3.1 percent over 1995. Allowing for Inflation, the real increase in spending was 0.6 percent.

However there was little Christmas cheer for retailers as the level of sales last December fell by 3.3 percent over 1995 to $58.1 million for the month.

Particularly badly hit were the sales of furniture, clothing, jewellery and home appliances.

At the same time, however, goods valued at $4.13 million were brought in from abroad -- 17 percent more than than December, 1995 when people brought goods valued at $3.35 million into Bermuda.

NEW MBA COURSE EDC New MBA course A new Master of Business Administration is to be offered in Bermuda in the latest link up to a US college.

Fitchburg State College, in Massachusetts, will offer the programme later this year via a combination of computer distance learning and courses at the Bermuda College.

SWING BRIDGE CLOSED TRA Swing Bridge closed The Swing Bridge in St. George's will close to marine traffic on Monday for maintenance work.

However, Works and Engineering, said the bridge is expected to be back in operation on Tuesday.