AS the island prepares to celebrate Good Friday, the Bermuda Electric Light Company stressed the importance of safe kite flying - especially in light of the poor weather predicted for the holiday weekend.

According to a forecast by the Bermuda Weather Service, Good Friday's weather is expected to be windy and mostly cloudy with intermittent, showery rain.

The dangers of electricity and flying in poor weather conditions, and the threat posed by overhanging branches were just some of the aspects of safe kite flying taught to Primary One and Two students in schools across the island as part of the annual Kite Safety Campaign the company initiated 18 years ago.

"As part of the campaign, Belco also held its annual Kite Safety Poster Competition," said Belco corporate communications co-ordinator Nicole Williams Smith. "Young Rhiannon Fletcher, a Primary One student at the Bermuda High School for Girls, was the 2003 winner."

The competition enabled up to two winners per class in the categories of Best Safety Message and Most Beautiful, Mrs. Williams Smith added. Winners from both categories were then judged for Best Poster Overall. All winners received Belco Bird Kites.

Rhiannon's winning poster was selected over all of the entries sent to Belco - Primary One and Two students of 21 schools. As a result, she and her classmates were invited to Belco's Serpentine headquarters where the Belco Bird presented them with $500 to be put towards a project that will benefit their class.

"The art competition is just one part of Belco's Kite Safety Campaign to promote safe kite making and flying," added Mrs. Williams Smith. "Last month, Belco kiteman Cornell Dunkley and a representative from (the Department of) External Relations & Corporate Communications visited each of the island's 24 primary schools. This year, more than 1,500 Primary One and Two students enjoyed the Belco Bird Kite Safety Slide Show, followed by an electrical safety talk and demonstration of linesmen's gear by Mr. Dunkley."

It is hoped that by introducing the children to safe kite flying at an early age, they will better understand the do's and don'ts of the practice - especially popular on Good Friday.

A high near 71 Fahrenheit is expected on Friday with east-southeasterly winds between 15 and 25 knots, becoming southerly. Sunny breaks are predicted for Easter Sunday.