latest dust-up between Bermuda's TV and radio stations.

The flash point for yesterday's pithy pantomime exchanges? Independence telephone polls.

VSB's senior correspondent Mr. Bryan Darby had no doubt who the wicked witch was -- ZBM, whose poll has already kicked off.

"ZBM felt they had been outfoxed and out-thought, so they decided on a rival poll ahead of ours,'' said Mr. Darby. "It only does damage to their credibility. We feel they have acted childishly, and have served to confuse the public.'' DeFontes Broadcasting -- which runs VSB -- has now protested furiously to Bermuda Telephone Company.

But yesterday ZBM bosses were in no mind to let their rivals portray themselves as something akin to the Fairy Godmother.

Bermuda Broadcasting Company's news director Mr. Jim McKey poured bucketfuls of scorn on VSB. "It's just sour grapes on their part,'' he scoffed.

And he added: "If they have difficulties with the competitive nature of the business then it is their problem -- not ours!'' For its part, Telco was staying on the sidelines.

"We provide facilities for those who want them, we don't discriminate in anyone's favour,'' said general manager Mr. Ernest Pacheco.

The war of the words is the latest in the bitter rivalry between the companies.

VSB hold their poll between 9 a.m. on Saturday and 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Callers will be given a "tele-poll'' number and asked to answer "yes'', "no'', or "undecided'' to the question: "Are you in favour of an Independent Bermuda?'' Some people yesterday told The Royal Gazette the poll was "futile'' because one caller could ring several times. But Mr. Darby stressed only three calls could be accepted from each household. VSB would receive computerised print-outs of the calls, he added.

Meanwhile, Bermuda Broadcasting was also fending off criticism of its poll, which ends this afternoon.

Two people protested the question on Independence did not correspond with the possible answers.

Callers are asked: "With all the other issues facing Bermuda, should we proceed with the consideration of Independence at this time.'' They can reply "agree'', "disagree'', or "undecided''.

But Southampton's Mr. Calvin Carmichael Jr. protested: "It's a question that they're asking, not a statement that I can agree or disagree with.'' Mr. McKey, however, said the question got to the nub of the issue facing Bermuda. And he pointed out the response to the poll had been "overwhelming''.