fighting plans for a liquor licence at a local shop.

But applicants for a licence for the Hillview Variety store believe it will make no difference to problems in Devil's Hole.

They face complaints from the local church, the Police and a leading young person in the Island's fight against alcohol and drugs.

And objectors point to evidence of local drinking proved by about a quarter of a ton of bottles removed from Devil's Hole waters during a recent clean up.

The applicants for the liquor licence are Mr. Eddy DeMello and Mr. Frankie DaPonte, co-owners of the Hillview Variety on Devil's Hole Hill.

Mr. DeMello has owned the shop for more than eight years, during which time Mr. DaPonte has been its manager. The shop rents videos and has served as a general store over that period.

Mr. DeMello said construction was underway to provide a separate area for the liquor store, which had planning permission.

He said: "We are trying to sell beer and wine because some of our customers have asked us to. It is for their convenience because there is nowhere nearby which sells liquor.

"If we get a liquor licence it will not be detrimental to the area. People who drink around here will only get it from somebody else if they cannot get it from here.'' Both Mr. DeMello and Mr. DaPonte said that they had not noticed any large groups of people drinking in the area, despite comments from local people that there was a problem with youths behind the Harrington Sound Workmen's Club.

They had a petition signed by a number of customers at the store in favour of the licence.

Chairman of the Youth Advisory Council to the National Drugs Commission, Mr.

Troy Berkeley pointed out that during a recent clean up of the local water, a quarter of a ton of bottles had been removed.

Mr. Berkeley, who lives two doors away from Hillview Variety and is a regular customer, described the find as "an incredible amount of bottles.'' Having formerly worked with Keep Bermuda Beautiful, Mr. DeMello said: "I am not aware of any clean up in that area for the past 20 years. Some of those bottles will be antiques.'' He said he had experience as a licence holder for the Vasco da Gama Club for 17 years.

Mr. Daponte has experience as a barman and said he would deal with any drunken customers by refusing to serve them, escorting them off the premises and, if necessary, calling the Police.

Police witnesses were Smith's Parish Constable P.c. Martin Weeks and Sgt. Mark Bothelo, who, until recently, ran a task force looking into problems areas in the Island.

They ran through a number of incidents which have occurred in Devil's Hole area including the firebombing of a Police car and a man running through two disabled person's apartments after being suspected of possessing drugs.

Both officers said they felt the area has quietened down recently but warned easier access to liquor could start them again.

The applicants' lawyer Mr. Richard Hector said the problems could happen anywhere in Bermuda. Both officers agreed.

Speaking for a number of residents who had signed a petition against the licence, Mr. Berkeley said he had spoken directly to the people who were drinking in the Devil's Hole area.

He said he had seen alcoholics in the area from 12 to 60 years. He said: "It is a multi-generational thing. Alcohol has devastated the Devil's Hole community for decades and decades and decades.'' Mr. Hector asked why Mr. Berkeley had not reported certain drinking and drug offences to the Police. He said: "It is not my fight. If you manage to take drugs away then only more will return to the community. I would rather deter the demand rather than supply.'' The tribunal into the licence was adjourned until Friday, April 23.