If you want to make sure your house is not burgled, the cat gets fed and mould does not grow up your walls when you're off the Island, the normal solution would be for home owners to arrange a house-sitter.

But for many this can pose the problem of who to get in to look after your beloved home plus the added worries about reliability ? and the possibility of parties galore being held in your absence on your manicured lawn.

Now one man is offering an alternative professional service, in a bid to get home-owners to consider leaving their properties in the care of his company, Bermuda Logistic Services.

"I like to see it as an alternative to house-sitting," said Arthur DeSilva, who has been running his company looking after properties on the Island for the past 11 years.

"Some people are away for just a few days, others can be gone for many months, and they all want to make sure their homes are safe."

Last week Mr. DeSilva placed an advertisement in the local press offering his "alternative" to house-sitting services, the first time he has advertised for business since he set up over a decade ago.

"It seems like there is a need out there for this kind of service, but not many people know who to go to."

The service offers property visits twice a day to check everything is alright, and if there is a problem he can get it fixed.

At the moment Mr. DeSilva mainly looks after high-end luxury properties, many in Tuckers Town, and performs a range of services for his clients.

The worst incident he had was when a fire broke out in a home while the owner was in Fiji.

A house guest had left some fat on a stove, and was lucky to come out alive, and there was extensive damage.

And it was Mr. DeSilva who was called to fix the mess, and he got the home back into shape while the owners were still abroad so they did not have to cut their long stay away short to deal with the problem.

"I work in association with a lot of tradesmen," he said.

"I have done all sorts of jobs for clients, from getting cars through TCD, to delivering packages or even having a bathroom built while they are away."

But the most bizarre thing he has ever been called for was a customer calling to ask the time to scratch a time on a parking voucher in town.

"That was the most petty thing I have been called for," he laughed.

"But people need all sorts of help with their homes ? from people who just arrive who need to know not to use too much water to others who need to know how TCD works.

"Once I babysat a property for three years ? that is how long the owner ended up being away. Then there are others who leave just for a few days."

Mr. DeSilva hopes that his advert will attract more than just the high-end Tuckers Town residents he currently has as his clients, and get other property owners switched on to the idea of hiring a professional when they travel.

"Customers want to know that when they are away their homes are looked after," he said.

"And I can give them that peace of mind for as long or short a period as they want."