Newspaper launched in Sark

The first edition of The Sark Gazette was printed in Guernsey

A newspaper has launched in the island of Sark with the editor saying he decided to launch a print newspaper as many Sark residents are not online.

The Sark Gazette has been published by Christopher Kennedy-Barnard, a Conseiller in the Chief Pleas.

The first edition has been sent to every household for free and is on sale in local shops for £2.

Mr Kennedy-Barnard said he was trialling the publication for a year and wanted it to spread positive messages about the island.

It was printed in Guernsey and included a plea to Sark residents to stand in the island's general election at the end of the year.

Conseiller Christopher Kennedy Barnard said a lot of the editorial work had been done by him but he was keen to get new contributors moving forward

The editor said: "There should be a newspaper on the island, as sometimes things can be negative, so we needed something that lifts people a little bit.

"We have so much to celebrate, our community and the good things regarding nature on the island."

Previously the Sark Newsletter was published by Kevin Delaney - who is now also a Conseiller, but since it ceased publication and moved online there has not been a newspaper in the small island, where around 500 people live.

On the subject of distributing the newspaper Mr Kennedy-Barnard said: "I was told by the shop at the post office that it wouldn't be stocked if it was unsavoury.

"It won't be political, it will celebrate local things".

Mr Kennedy-Barnard said he had experience running a magazine and had regularly contributed to a monthly fishing publication.

"I'd like to see if we can break even and bring in some ad revenue, and hopefully local people will want to contribute," he said.