More special needs children and care providers are in Government's summer camps this year, according to Youth and Sport Minister Dennis Lister.

Mr. Lister was correcting "misinformation'' in a broadcast news report and comments by Shadow Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin , and he said reports the programme was suffering from a lack of funding were "totally unfounded''.

And Mr. Lister added: "It goes without saying; the fact that there are more special needs children and paraprofessionals in our programme this year than any other year...'' "It is clear that more families are benefiting from the new approach by this Government,'' he continued. "That's what's important. This was never about money; it is about providing a better service to more families.'' There are 26 special needs children with 25 paraprofessional staff in the summer programme, under a Ministry of Education officer who reports to the Youth Ministry Camping Coordinator.

More than 1,000 children between ages six and 11 participate every week. Last year the special needs children were integrated into the programme.

FAST FERRIES CONTRACT TO BE ANNOUNCED TRA Fast ferries contract to be announced Government is expected to announce within the next two weeks which company has won the contract for the Island's new faster ferries.

Transport Minister Ewart Brown said on Tuesday that details would also be released in a public relations blitz due to begin in September designed to encourage Bermudians to use the ferries.

A shortlist of three companies has been drawn up to build the front loading ferries: Gladding-Hearn in Somerset, Massachusetts, Austal in Mobile, Alabama, and Derecktor in New York.

Seven Ministry of Transport officials and a Bermuda Industrial Union officer went to the United States last month to check out the companies bidding to build the high speed ferries.

Dr. Brown said yesterday: "I expect to announce within the next two weeks the winner. There is a shortlist but I haven't yet received recommendations.

"The next announcement will be which company it is then we will take it from there.'' The front-loading ferries, which are expected to be in service by September next year, will cost $24 million with an extra $3.2 million being spent on preparing docks for them.

SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE FNR CLB Setting a good example Setting tables is set to raise funds for two charities.

Fundraising organisers Creative Table Tops hopes to give the public imaginative ideas about how to set a table, whether for a wedding, birthday, party or beach picnic.

Inspired by the idea created by Tiffany's, hotels, stores and a host of private individuals will set tables in original ways.

The event takes place at the Bermuda Society of the Arts on Friday, October 6 and Saturday, October 7.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Sunshine League Children's Home and King Edward VIII Memorial Hospital's Hyperbaric Oxygen Machine.