A tropical storm watch was posted last night as the mammoth Hurricane Luis continued to edge ominously close to Bermuda.

Yesterday evening it was predicted the storm would get closest to Bermuda at 2 a.m. on Sunday morning when it will be about 200 miles from the Island, bringing the chance of winds of up to 64 knots.

However, forecasters warned there was still a chance of a change in direction of "this large and potentially dangerous hurricane''.

The 450 mile-wide storm, which ripped through Antigua leaving devastation in its wake, is still a Category Four hurricane and it is not expected to weaken as it approaches the Island.

It is packing sustained winds of 115 knots with gusts up to 140 knots, although hurricane force winds only extend up to about 50 miles from the eye.

If it continues on its present nine mph course, Bermuda could experience tropical storm winds of between 34 and 64 knots by late tomorrow evening and early Sunday morning.

Mr. Dick Nelis, a spokesman for the Bermuda Weather Office, said: "Luis is heading north west, but we are expecting him to turn north. On Saturday it is expected to turn north east, bringing it to about 200 miles from Bermuda.'' But the forecaster warned: "There is still a chance of there being some future change in the predicted track of this large and potentially dangerous hurricane.

"The public should closely monitor future messages over the next 24 hours should a tropical storm warning or hurricane watch become necessary.'' Last night, Deputy Governor and chairman of the Emergency Measures Organisation, Mr. Peter Willis, said a meeting of the group had not yet been called.

He added: "We will be watching the situation very carefully. Obviously future forecasts will dictate what we do.'' Hurricane Luis wrought havoc on Antigua and if it hits it will be just a few weeks after category one hurricane, Felix, clipped Bermuda causing at least $2.5 million worth of damage.

Yesterday, just the threat of the storm forced a cancellation of one of the world's most modern cruise ships, the Oriana, which was scheduled to arrive in Great Sound, with 1,700 passengers.

She was meant to leave again today, but diverted because of the threat posed by Luis. Other cruise ships are expected to depart on time, although they will monitor Luis' progress next week.

As the people of Antigua started coming to terms with the devastation left by Hurricane Luis, the International Red Cross launched an emergency appeal to help the victims of the storm.

The Bermuda branch is joining in the appeal and accounts at three of the Island's Banks have been set up to receive donations. The Government is considering its response to the appeal.

In the past it has matched Dollar for Dollar the amount raised by the aid organisation. Accounts have been opened in the name of Bermuda Red Cross - Disaster Relief Fund.

The Bank of Butterfield account number is 2001-663859, the Bank of Bermuda number is 1001-444517 and the Bermuda Commercial Bank number is 018/01/00688.

In addition, donations can be mailed direct to Bermuda Red Cross, Hurricane Luis Appeal, P.O. Box HM 772, Hamilton HM CX.

International phone lines to Caribbean islands, affected by problems caused by Hurricane Luis, should now be back to normal, according to Cable and Wireless.

A fault in equipment at Montserrat has been corrected although the company is warning that many islands are experiencing problems with their own telephone networks.