Past mayor of St. George's Henry Hayward has confirmed he will run in next month's race for the top post in the old town.

Mr. Hayward said yesterday he made his decision after considering the importance of the town's bid to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

He said: "I have made the decision that I will run for mayor of St. George's on October 11.

"I had previously considered it going back a month ago but because of business pressure, I decided to step back,'' Mr. Hayward added. "But with the moves to get status as a World Heritage Site and what that involves, I just feel my experience and service as past mayor might be of service to the town at this time.'' Mr. Hayward added: "The World Heritage Site designation is important not just to St. George's but to Bermuda as a whole.'' Mr. Hayward served as Mayor of St. George's from 1988 to 1997. He is the head of the Meyer group of companies.

Nomination day is October 4 for an October 11 election day. Mr. Hayward joins businessman Ross Smith and Town Crier E. Michael Jones for the right to be in the Mayor's Parlour.

The men are bidding to replace Lois Perinchief, the current mayor after four years in service.

Last week, both Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith promised to tackle the issue of double taxation for services for town residents.

Currently residents are taxed by Bermuda Government and the Corporation for water and trash collection.

The World Heritage Site is seen as a crowning prize for St. George's, which is the oldest continually inhabited English speaking settlement in the Western Hemisphere.