had been put back for the building of a sun canopy to protect working horses in St. George's.

Vet Andrew Madeiros, who is also chairman of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said he had hoped to see the shelter put up this summer.

He said he had been in talks with the Corporation for months and had been assured that the canopy would be in place near the cruise ship terminal at the town square earlier this summer.

The Royal Gazette reported in June how secretary of the Corporation Nancy Hooper was sure the shelter would be in use by the end of July.

However yesterday, she said the plans had been put on the back burner due to lack of funds.

Mr. Madeiros said: "I'm disappointed because we had been in discussion with the Corporation since late last year and it seemed really keen to deal with this problem.

"We are now at the stage where the summer is almost over, the holiday season is coming to an end, and still there is nowhere for the horses to shelter out of the sun.

"Had we known earlier that money was going to be such a problem, we may have been able to help by looking for a donor or sponsor.'' He said he planned to meet with the Corporation again to discuss the problem of financing and hoped to have the shelter in place, if not by the end of this summer season, in time for next.

Mrs Hooper said: "The delay is purely down to the cost involved,'' she said.

"The Corporation, as everyone is aware, is cash poor. We wanted to get the canopy in place this summer, but money has been a problem.

"I really can't give you a deadline on when it will happen.'' She said there is a shelter area, just off the town square in St. George's, but the horse drivers refuse to use it as it is shielded from passers-by.