Sark winter ferry changes 'really hard' for pupils

Robin said she would miss her home in Sark if she could not get there as regularly

Pupils are appealing to a ferry company to think again after changes announced in its new winter timetable mean they cannot return home to Sark for weekends after attending school all week in Guernsey.

Sark Shipping is not running a Sunday service from November until March and the boat will leave for Sark at 13:00 GMT on Fridays.

Thirteen-year-old Robin said it would affect 10 pupils, among other passengers, and called for a "change because it's really important that it doesn't stay that way".

She said she was "really upset because it means we can't get over during in the weekend," and added: "I can't imagine what it would be like. It would be so hard to only be back in the holidays."

'Family time'

Robin usually stays on Guernsey during term-time weeks with her mother so she can go to school, leaving behind her father on his farm, and returning home at weekends.

She said: "It is hard because I miss my dad and my dog and my gran.

"We cope - just about - but it's really nice to get back home at the weekend."

She added: "It's lovely just to spend family time together."

There are not due to be any boats every other Wednesday as part of the winter changes, and there will be two sailings on two days a week and one on all the other days.

Robin said the changes might mean she was unable to help out with lambing, the busiest time on the farm, adding: "I think we'd all really struggle."

The company said it would have another look at the timetable after a meeting this week.

The BBC has approached Sark Shipping for further comment.