views in the world.

Forget the views from the World Trade Centre or the Eiffel Tower, the panorama from the Cathedral Tower in Hamilton is breathtaking.

That is the view of the Anglican Bishop of Bermuda, the Rt. Rev. William T.

Down and director of architecture firm Woodbourne Associates, Mr. Paul Lowry.

Mr. Lowry carried out a feasibility study into turning the Cathedral Tower into a tourist attraction.

And it may be up and running soon even though less than a year ago much of the tower was described as a "pigeons' graveyard.'' The Bishop said: "We believe this is a golden opportunity to let people share the magnificent view from the Cathedral tower. It's a shame that people have not been able to see it in the past.'' Mr. Lowry said: "It is breathtaking. You can see the whole of the Island and many things you never knew existed. Over the rooftops of Hamilton you can see all of North Shore and South Shore. It is the highest point in the city.'' At present the Anglican Church is seeking planning permission for the "intensification of use'' of the tower. Once that is acquired it will be all systems go with around $70,000 worth of work necessary.

Mr. Lowry said: "A lot of work has already been done. It was a pigeons' graveyard up there. At one point we were knee-deep in dead pigeons.'' While much rewiring needs doing, safety work is top of the agenda with new handrails being installed.

Additional lighting will improve visibility on the 96-step spiral staircase and the 57 steps to the roof.

There will be stop and go lights at the bottom of the steps as only one group of, at the most, nine visitors will be allowed up the tower at any one time.

There is no room for passing.

Mr. Lowry said: "We will try to dissuade overweight people and those susceptible to heart attacks from climbing the tower.

"The spiral staircase is only two feet two inches at some points. In fact the entrance is only that wide so people will know if they are going to have problems.

"We will have to weed out people who will have the slightest problems because it will be difficult to remove people in an emergency.'' And Mr. Lowry said that they would also be seeking volunteer, healthy guides.

He said: "They will need to have some stamina to go up and down those steps a number of times per day.'' Both the Bishop and Mr. Lowry believe the Cathedral Tower will prove to be a popular tourist attraction.

He said: "We have already produced drafts copies of promotional leaflets for the cruise ships and a guide book for people climbing the tower.

"We will also produce some promotional T-shirts on sale only to people who have been to the top.'' The cost of climbing the tower will be $5 with the money going towards the maintenance of the Cathedral.