than a decade in the Upper House hot seat, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

And Sen. Alf Oughton -- current vice-President -- is well positioned to be voted into the President's chair.

Sen. Jackson said last night that he would announce his decision at this week's sitting of Senate.

Sen. Jackson, 79 this year, said: "I feel as though it's time now for me to let someone else have a seat there in my place, having served now for a number of years.'' He added: "I've been thinking about this for quite some time.'' Sen. Jackson, an Independent Senator, was appointed to the Upper House in 1985 and became President in 1987.

He admitted he would probably miss the weekly meetings of Senate. He said: "I'll tell you that in about three months -- no doubt I will miss it, but I'm ready to step down.

"I have no deep, deep regrets and I would like to feel I have been able to make some kind of contribution.'' The move means Members of Senate will have to vote on a new President -- and a new appointment will have to be made to the House. The current Senate line-up is five members from the ruling United Bermuda, three from the Opposition Progressive Labour Party and three Independents, including Sen. Jackson.

But since a Constitutional overhaul in 1980 introduced the current Senate set-up, the Senate President has never come from either of the main political parties.

The first President of the currently-constituted Upper House was Hugh Richardson, one of the founders of the Progressive Labour Party, although he sat as an Independent. He was followed by Sen. Jackson.

According to the Constitution, Senators will have to vote for a new President at the meeting following Sen. Jackson's official retirement.

But Sen. Jackson was staying tight-lipped on who might be chosen to take over from him. He said: "I wouldn't care to mention a name at this point -- they will no doubt make their choice, but I don't know in any specific terms who that's likely to be. "And I don't think I'd like to venture a guess at this point.'' Deputy Governor Peter Willis could not be contacted for comment on who might be appointed to the Senate.

And Sen. Oughton -- who was appointed in 1993 -- declined to discuss his chances of being voted into the top job.

He said: "It's premature as far as I'm concerned -- I guess there will have to be an election and we'll see what happens.'' Sen. Oughton added: "It would be quite an honour -- but I wouldn't like to count my chickens before their hatched.'' And Sen. Oughton paid tribute to Sen. Jackson's work as Senate President. He said: "He's done a fantastic job.'' Albert Jackson