thousands of dollars worth of improvements.

Officers will move to temporary accomodation while the Barr's Bay Park Police station -- home of the Marine Police Section -- is extended and the interior revamped.

Potentially hazardous asbestos insulation in the ceiling will be removed and replaced with safer material.

But the team will still be based in Barr's Bay -- in mobile offices with the same telephone numbers to ensure an uniterrupted service.

Works and Engineering Ministry architect Devin Lightbourne, who is in charge of the project, said the station's interior would be improved and extra space added on.

Mr. Lightbourne said: "For their needs, it's badly in need of renovation -- it's not a horrible building, but they do need improved facilities.'' Included in the blueprint are an open-plan office for the 11-strong team, with a separate office for the Marine Police officer-in-charge, Sgt. Mark Bothelo.

Also on the cards are meeting rooms, as well as bigger locker and storage areas.

Mr. Lightbourne added: "They are trying to increase the staff a bit, nothing major, but primarily the work is just for the guys who are already there.'' News of the planned work came in an invitation to tender from the Works and Engineering Ministry.

The tender conditions include a tight timeframe for the work -- "a small extension and substantial internal renovation.'' Tender documents will be available from Works and Engineering from next Tuesday and completed bids must be returned by Thursday, May 21.

MAGAZINE GIVE REEFS THUMBS UP NJ TOU Magazine gives Reefs thumbs up The Reefs in Southampton was voted the best hotel in Bermuda by a recent poll conducted in the May issue of a top international magazine.

The South Shore Road cottage colony topped Gourmet magazine's "Rooms at the Top'' list for the Island.

It was followed by Southampton Princess, the Pink Beach Club & Cottages, The Princess and Marriott's Castle Harbour Resort.

The rankings were determined by a comprehensive survey of sophisticated travellers. The issue is set to hit newsstands on April 28.

Gourmet readers described The Reefs as "the quintessential Island escape'', notes the article.

Meanwhile the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles was chosen as the number one hotel in the world.

The special interest categories of top family resort, business hotel, romance, golf, and sun locales were won by Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, The Regent Hong Kong, Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford, California, The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in Hawaii respectively.