An online shipping service set up under a Government public-private partnership has been a hit with shoppers, it has been claimed.

MyBermudaPost, run through the Bermuda Post Office and a Florida-based courier firm, started operation last November.

Wayne Furbert, the Cabinet Office minister, said last week that many people had registered for the new service.

Mr Furbert said: “Er … yeah, we’ve had a lot of people sign up for it.“

But he was unable to say how many subscriptions the website had received.

Mr Furbert said: “No, not at this time, I can’t.”

A government spokeswoman added: “The feedback and engagement has been encouraging.”

The website gives subscribers with a US address they can use when they make online purchases overseas.

But the link-up sparked controversy and store owners condemned the scheme.

They insisted it would harm the retail sector and that the Government should encourage people to “buy Bermuda”.

It also came under fire from courier firms, who questioned why the partnership deal had not been put out to tender so Bermudian firms could have put in bids.

But Mr Furbert defended the project and insisted that people would benefit from access to cheaper shipping rates.