HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC):

Support for Bermuda's independence from the United Kingdom has grown dramatically, according to a new public opinion poll published here yesterday.

Opposition to cutting ties with Britain has also dropped, the poll revealed.

The poll conducted for the Royal Gazette newspaper last month, showed that 34.7 per cent of the population support sovereignty, 12 points higher than the last time the public was polled in March.

Prior to the latest poll, the highest support for independence was recorded in August 2005, immediately after the Bermuda Independence Commission began consultations.