this year by the closure of its King Street thrift store.

Public relations director Major Alfred Richardson announced its closure yesterday after he said it was no longer economically viable.

The store, which was operated as a service to the public, provided work therapy opportunities to clients, supported and supplied Family Services and returned surplus funds to rehabilitation programmes, explained Major Richardson.

But the goal of putting extra funds into those programmes had not been realised for several months, he added.

The Salvation Army is continuing to accept donations of goods "to supply needs of family services and work therapy'' but the shop will remain closed for "reassessment, refurbishment and restructuring'', said Major Richardson.

He also told The Royal Gazette that 800 Christmas hampers had been prepared for the holiday period which would go out to the families in need and up to 800 children would receive toys through its Santas Anonymous project.

HOME REJECTED PLN Home rejected Planning chiefs have turned down a scheme to convert a house into a home for eight elderly people.

Ms Jannifer Burrows had applied to turn the house at 2 Spire View Lane, Sandys Parish, into a home for old people.

However, the Development Applications Board said insufficient information was submitted to enable a "proper assessment of the proposal to be undertaken''.

The house is the same property that centred in a recent court case - although Ms Burrows' application has no connection with that case.

Earlier this month a Supreme Court judge approved a move to close Golden Serenity -- a nursing home also at 2 Spire View Lane, which had been set up without planning permission.

Puisne Judge Mr. Justice Meerabux granted an injunction against the home's operator, Mrs. Judith Smith-Tweed. The action was brought by lawyer Mr.

Carlsen Philip, representing part-owner of the property, Mrs. Alma Cholmondeley-Daniels. Other owners of the property are Mrs.

Cholmondeley-Daniel's brother and sister.

The DAB gave permission to Windreach Bermuda Trust, an organisation dedicated to helping disabled children, to build six new horse stables at Spice Hill Road, Warwick.

DRIVER BANNED CTS Driver banned Riding while impaired nearly cost a 48-year-old water truck driver his job yesterday in Magistrates' Court.

Sheldon L. Johnston, of Ridgeway Road, Pembroke, pleaded guilty to driving on Crow Lane, Spurling Hill and Reid Street while impaired on December 6.

Prosecutor Sgt. Kenrick James said Police were on patrol when they saw Johnston riding west on Crow Lane and then turn right onto Spurling Hill.

When Johnston stopped at the light, Police saw him stumble when he put his feet down to steady the bike.

Sgt. James said when Johnston was stopped by Police they noticed he appeared impaired.

Johnston told Magistrate Mr. Edward King: "If you take my licence away I won't be able to work and then I won't be able to pay child support.'' Mr. King fined Johnston $450 and disqualified him from all motor vehicles except trucks.

ASSAULT DENIED CTS Assault denied A 24-year-old Sandys man yesterday denied charges that he violently resisted arrest and assaulted two Police officers on November 18 in Southampton.

Quincy J. Scott, of Railway Trail, pleaded not guilty in Magistrates' Court to driving on South Shore Road, Southampton while impaired, driving with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, violently resisting arrest and two counts of assaulting a Police officer.

Magistrate Mr. Edward King bailed Scott for $500 and set his trial for May 14.

Lawyer Ms Victoria Pearman represented Scott.