Academy in Warwick.

They are worried about links the annual festival, on October 31, has with Devil worship.

Instead children at Montessori will celebrate United Nations Day, a week late, on Friday, October 30.

Mrs. Monica Jones, who has three children at the school, said that all parents and teachers were in favour of the ban on the festival of witches and warlocks.

Mrs. Jones said: "It was decided not to get the children involved in dressing up for Hallowe'en. Some people do not like the Satanic links.

"Personally I would like Hallowe'en to be a lot more meaningful for my children than dressing up and eating enough candy to make them bounce off the walls.'' The Middle Road school, for children aged between two and 11, is the latest establishment to express worries over the Hallowe'en Festival, which some people see as a worshipping of "dark forces.'' In England many people believe Hallowe'en is connected to ancient religions that have long since had any meaning.

Mrs. Jones and other parents, and teachers, at Montessori Academy believe the United Nations Day celebration will be more worthwhile for the children.

She said: "The children will dress up in national costumes of other countries, sing traditional songs, hear stories and sample food from those countries.

"Already we are expecting contributions from Italy, Scotland, Austria and America, because children here have links with those countries.

"Bermuda is a real melting pot of people from other nations and the experience will be good for the children.''