Bermuda celebrities, business leaders and politicians will spend time behind bars for the second year in a row for the knowledge, or "lack thereof", of drugs in Bermuda.

On March 12, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., the Parent Resource Institute for Drug Education (PRIDE) Bermuda will host their second annual 'Celebrity Lock-Up' in Number Six Shed on Front Street.

Celebrities will be publicly "arrested", transported to jail, and tried in mock court. Only by raising adequate bail are participants able to get out.

More than $50,000 was raised last year.

This year organisers are hoping to raise $75,000 by locking-up well-known Bermudians such as businessman Bruce Barritt, Senator Michael Dunkley, Hamilton Mayor Charles Gosling, former professional footballer Shaun Goater and father-son duo Ralph and Brenton Richardson.

PRIDE Bermuda's executive director, Judith Burgess, said she hoped the event would also help raise community awareness about the organisation in a light-hearted way.

"Last year's event was such an incredible success, we had to do it again. The Celebrity Lock-Up is a fun, and yet educational, way to raise funds for PRIDE, while also involving local celebrities and the community in the awareness-raising process.

"We are asking for local celebrities to volunteer for this event and we encourage members of the public to come out and participate as well whether posting bail for a friend or colleague, observing the celebrities in jail or by watching the public 'trial'.

"As evidenced by E. Michael Jones' attempted jailbreak last year it promises to be an interesting and surprising event."

To volunteer for the Celebrity Lock-Up, or for more information, telephone 295-9970 or E-mail info@ pride.prevention.bm.