Linking to a URL from within a body of text

[steve.ledger]

No, this would be a link applied to a region, not a bitmap.

That's splitting hairs...
The region is applied to the co-ords where the bitmap appears on the page and the link is applied to the region. Happy now?

[covoxer]

The region is applied to the co-ords where the bitmap appears on the page and the link is applied to the region. Happy now?

No. Read all that was written carefully.

Covoxer:
Grouped text is converted to a single bitmap. Single bitmap can have only one link applied to it.

Please note: to a single bitmap. Not "to a bitmap and regions defined with image maps".
Happy now?

[steve.ledger]

Forget about getting caught up in the semantics.

The workable work-around was posted in posts#7 and #8
Some response as to whether the time spent demonstrating this was a solution for the OP would be appreciated