protest for the second time -- prompting a demand for an apology from one outraged authority.

But Tourism Minister David Allen rejected calls for the commercials to be dropped -- claiming calls about Bermuda holidays had flooded in since the promotion began.

Many believe the ads, which compare Bermuda to the Hamptons resort in Long Island and Cape Cod in Massachusetts, are derogatory and could have damage the drive to revitalise tourism.

Officials in Suffolk County, which includes the Hamptons region -- a $2 billion-a-year tourism area -- called for an apology from Bermuda.

Newsday, a 500,000-edition-selling Long Island newspaper, picked up the story which was also broadcast by a local CBS station.

Suffolk County Executive Robert Gaffney said: "These adverts are insulting to the residents of the Hamptons and Suffolk County. They are also inaccurate. I demand an apology and insist further campaigns be reconsidered.'' Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell added his weight to the dispute, claiming he had received calls from travel agents who said the ads were "atrocious, rude and derogatory''.

He said the adverts -- which compare travelling times, courtesy and golf in the two places -- could alienate visitors and potential customers from the Northeast.

In calling for them to be withdrawn, he said Mr. Allen should re-think his entire promotion.

"They are tasteless and offensive. Bermuda doesn't need to lower itself to this level,'' he said. "We are a classier act than that and have more quality.

"Let's talk about what we do have and not bash other peo- ple. We just don't need to sell ourselves this way. It needs a big step back to withdraw this style of campaign and start again.'' Ads come under fire But Mr. Allen asked why a campaign that was working so well should be withdrawn, citing a huge increase in calls to the 1-800-Bermuda number quoted on the commercials.

"The phones have been ringing off the hook, some calls have tripled,'' he said. "There has been an incredible response. There is no other explanation than the adverts we have introduced.

"We feel they are working out well, but it is true there have been a couple of noses out of joint.'' The adverts ran in the New York Times and on radio, and followed equally notorious commercials comparing Bermuda to Venice and Scotland.

Mr. Dodwell claimed those were withdrawn when both countries complained, along with Americans. But Mr. Allen refuted the accusation, saying the adverts were purposely phased out.

And the United Bermuda Party MP said he received many calls from customers who had seen the story on CBS TV last night, asking "why Bermuda had to do this?'' "They are never going to be able to measure the negative aspect of this campaign because people will vote with their feet and wallet -- and they will tell other people,'' he said.

Mr. Allen said the commercials were part of the short-term tactical campaign which was due to be overtaken by a major image promotion in glossy magazines this week and would run for a further two weeks.

"All of these ads have been run past specific focus groups of potential visitors,'' he said. "Well over 90 percent found them amusing, lighthearted and tongue in cheek.'' WHAT THE HAMPTON AD SAYS What the Hamptons ad says Below is the text of the New York Times advert comparing Bermuda to the Hamptons: Why four days in Bermuda are better than four days in the Hamptons.

Bermuda is only an hour and a half direct flight away.

So you can be sunning yourself on a beach instead of sitting in traffic on the Long Island Expressway.

Everyone in Bermuda is courteous and friendly.

Everyone in the Hamptons is from New York.

You can see over 800 varieties of colourful fish while snorkelling in Bermuda.

You can hear alot of colourful language while stuck in traffic on the Long Island Expressway.

The water in Bermuda is so clear you can see your toes. And it comes in dozens of colours, from turquoise to indigo blue.

Bermuda has more golf courses per acre than anywhere else in the world.

Good luck getting a tee time in the Hamptons.

In Bermuda you don't have to share a house with 30 people you only marginally like.