prevent local watercolour artist Ms Carole Holding and her family from setting up a souvenir shop called Harrods Bermuda.

Ms Holding, her husband Mr. Joseph Tee and Ms Elizabeth Tee have applied to incorporate a local company called Harrods Bermuda Ltd.

The proposed company will import and export "arts, crafts and souvenir products'', according to a legal notice published in The Royal Gazette .

Bermuda's Registrar of Companies reserved the name Harrods Bermuda for the family on July 15, 1993.

But Harrods' director of public affairs, Mr. Michael Cole, said his firm would not tolerate any unauthorised use of its name.

"Harrods is not litigious by choice but it will defend its name whenever it sees fit,'' he said.

"In the past, whenever circumstances have arisen where a company or individual have sought to make whatever use of our name and trademark, we have always taken such action as is necessary.'' A Bermuda resident who regularly shops with Harrods has already called the store to forewarn that its world famous name might be used in Bermuda.

"Harrods is referring the matter to its lawyers, who are taking a professional look at the matter,'' said Mr. Cole.

"Harrods have in the past taken legal action against hotel proprietors in North Island, New Zealand, after they decided to name their hotel Harrods Hotel.

"Rolls Royce has a legal department which spends its whole time defending its name and preserving the copyright to the `Spirit of Ectasy' figure that sits on the bonnet of their cars.

"We, too, have an attuned legal department that protects Harrods in all instances.

"We will take a look at the circumstances with urgency and will take appropriate action if necessary.'' Mr. Tee said last week he was not in a position to discuss the incorporation until today, but his lawyers Smith Barnard & Diel later stated that no comment would be made.

The law firm had earlier attempted to contact the lawyer acting for the Tee family, Mr. John Cunningham, who is currently on vacation in Scotland.

It is understood that Smith Barnard & Diel has, in the last week, applied to the Bermuda Monetary Authority to approve the incorporation. The next stage is to deposit the BMA's consent with the Registrar of Companies.

Ms Holding and her husband recently opened a new arts and craft store in St.

George's called the Carole Holding Studio. Other retail operations include the St. George's Art and Craft Studio in Featherbed Alley and the antique and gift store, Long House Gallery, at Hunter's Wharf.