by the Government Minister in charge of law and order.

Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness said: "I'd like to personally thank these courageous men -- they not only tried to prevent this happening but they pursued the suspects and did in fact expose themselves to injury.'' Bank of Butterfield Somerset branch security guard Clayton Simmons was pistol-whipped -- but despite blood pouring from a head wound, gave chase to the masked and armed robbers.

Colleagues John Gilbert suffered back injuries and Randolph Spencer both suffered minor injuries.

Mr. Edness added that descriptions provided by the guards helped net two out of three suspects in the raid.

He said: "They are all courageous men and I'm very grateful to them for what they have done.'' And he said that assistance and phone calls to Police from Somerset residents "helped the Police enormously''.

Mr. Edness added that the incident was "a terrible thing to happen in our society'' -- especially so soon after a similar raid on the Bank of Bermuda's Somerset branch.

But he pledged: "We are trying to do something about handguns in this Island and hopefully we will come up with something.'' Mr. Edness said it was a "traumatic'' experience for bank staff and said he believed they would be offered counselling.

All three guards were taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment -- but later released. Mr. Simmons, was said to be resting at home last night.