from the free legal advice.

There were 505 applicants of which 288 were given help.

This compares with 436 applicants in the 1998-99 period of whom 304 were successful.

Legal Aid Committee chairman Charles-Etta Simmons said in the annual report for 2000: "This continues to show the bottoming out trend and although it may be subject to fluctuations, it remains markedly down from prior years 1994-96 where applications averaged 900.

"This reflects the ongoing improved administrative procedures for vetting the financial qualification of applicants and assessment of their cases.'' She said the approval rate had decreased from 69 percent to 57 percent.

POLICE OFFICER AND HORSES COLLIDE AC Police officer and horses collide A Police officer suffered minor injuries after his patrol motorcycle collided with a horse and carriage at the weekend.

The two horses suffered superficial injuries to their hind legs and both vehicles were damaged in the accident outside the Fairmont Southampton Princess at about 6.45 p.m. on Friday.

Police said the accident happened as the horse and carriage, travelling west along South Road, intended to turn right into the hotel driveway.

The officer, who was on duty at the time, was also travelling west.

As the collision occurred, he lost control of his cycle and suffered a bruised shoulder and minor abrasions.

HOSPITAL STAFF HELP NAB PARKING LOT THIEF CRM Hospital staff help nab parking lot thief A 49-year-old man was arrested last week after witnesses saw him try to rob parked cars at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Hospital staff watched the man enter a car in the northern parking lot, then try to gain access to several others.

The culprit fled when confronted by security but was later apprehended by Police officers responding to the call.

POLICE PROBE WEEKEND THEFTS CRM Police probe weekend thefts Police at the weekend were investigating a number of thefts across the Island.

A socket set and a number of other tools were stolen a house in Anchorage Lane, St. George's, just before 10 a.m. on Friday.

The solar panel from a 12ft Boston whaler was stolen sometime between 7.30 a.m. and 7.30 p.m. on Friday as it was docked on the slip at Stocks Harbour in St. David's.

And a yellow Malaguti motor cross bike, with a purple seat, was taken from the secured pump room of a house in Middle Road, Warwick, at some point on Friday afternoon, between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Police are investigating each of the thefts, but anyone with information should call officers on 295-0011.