launch of a college course for retail workers.

The new retail diploma will offer courses to any staff who come into contact with the public, with the aim of improving service to world class standards.

In conjunction with the National Training Board, the Visitor Retail Division of the Chamber of Commerce is hoping to put together a programme to enable Bermuda's shopping experience to rival global competitors.

The scheme, if it gets off the ground, was principally aimed at retail but it is likely other sectors will come on board.

Ian Smith, retail chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, said the course evolved out of a pilot programme held earlier this year with 20 shop assistants.

"We have a service value proposition in Bermuda, the issue is being driven...so we can include everybody,'' he said.

MAN CHASES BURGLAR CRM Man chases burglar A Warwick man chased a burglar who had swiped his wallet after sneaking into a Spring Hill home on Thursday night.

The man was watching TV when he heard a noise and saw the thief leaving by the unlocked sliding door.

He went after the thief but failed to catch him. A thief also struck at Warwick Lanes Bowling Alley overnight on Wednesday. He entered the Middle Road venue through a window and took a large amount of cash from a locked cabinet.

VISITOR'S BAG STOLEN CRM Visitors' bag stolen Three visitors returned from a swim at Tobacco Bay, St. George's on Wednesday to find their knapsack containing cash, clothes and documents had been swiped from the beach.

A Pitts Bay Road resident had his car stolen and jewellery taken from his home while he was out having dinner on Wednesday.

The vehicle was later recovered on Old Military Road, Pembroke.

BRAWL OUTSIDE CLUB CRM Brawl outside club A 21-year-old St. George's man has been arrested after an assault outside Club 40 on Front Street in the early hours of Friday.

The victim, a 36-year-old Sandys man, had earlier argued with three men in the club.

He was then punched outside the club and needed hospital treatment for cuts to his left eyelid and ear.

NO CLUB FOR WAR VETS VET No club for war vets Bermuda's war veterans have no plans to find a new home after moving out of their Dundonald Street clubhouse.

The old soldiers decided in May to sell the Hamilton clubhouse because they had no need for a full-time location.

Bermuda War Veterans Association president Frank Farmer said the organisation was offered a place to hold its annual general meeting but would not seek a new home.

He said: "We're all too old for that. We're all pushing 80. We don't need a property anymore.'' ELBOW WINS AWARD AWD Elbow wins award Excellence in organising and staging conventions has earned Elbow Beach Resort a top award.

The South Shore hotel is now a member of the Meetings and Conventions 2000 Gold Key Award, after meeting planners gave it the vote in a magazine poll.

The honour is given for staff, quality of facilities, technical support and the range of recreational services available.

DRINK DRIVER FINED CTS Drink driver fined A Paget man was disqualified from driving all vehicles for 12 months and fined $1,000 after he pleaded guilty to driving while impaired on July 31 at 3.05 a.m.

The court heard that Twain Thomas Jones, 35, of Henry Vale Road, Paget, was seen driving a cycle unsteadily along Parliament Street by a Policeman.

Crown counsel Oonagh Goodred told the court that when he was stopped by the officer, Mr. Jones told him he was "trying to warm up the tyres''.

Mr. Jones was taken to the Hamilton Police Station where an alco-analyser test showed he had 195 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80 milligrams.