Rob England
BBC News Online

Gus Paterson is the new chief secretary to Guernsey's Committee for Education, Sport and Culture.

He will move from his current role as the pan-island director of civil aviation, in which he oversaw the launch of Guernsey's aircraft registry 2-REG.

Mr Paterson will be the senior civil servant and adviser to the five politicians on the committee.

Deputy Paul Le Pelley, President of the committee, said he was joining them at a "crucial time" for the future of the island's secondary education system.

• Top Guernsey civil servant resigns

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A patient was taken to the UK by helicopter for "urgent medical care" last night, St John Ambulance Guernsey said.

Jersey Evening Post

An estimated £500,000 is due to be spent on replacing the lighting and control system in the Tunnel in the New Year, the Infrastructure Department has said., external

Guernsey Press

Work to demolish part of the L’Ancresse wall and install two protective rock groynes will not take place until 2019, Environment & Infrastructure has said., external

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

A nuisance herring gull that has been attacking beachgoers in Jersey has the "best chance" to live away from humans at Les Minquiers, according to the island's government.

The Environment Department has captured the bird and will be relocating it to the islands, nine miles (15km) south of Jersey.

The department said it had considered a number of options to protect the bird but the plentiful supply of food and being away from humans gives the seagull the best chance to live in a natural environment.

It also acknowledged it would have to look at "alternative options" should Gulliver fly back to his original stomping ground at St Ouen, on Jersey's west coast.

Image source, Paul Chambers

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

A dive-bombing seagull that has attacked beachgoers in St Ouen, Jersey, will be taken to Les Minquiers, a group of islands nine miles (15km) south of Jersey, later this week.

It had previously been suggested that Gulliver, as the hand-reared bird has become known, could have been killed.

Image source, Natalie Mayer Photography

Following public concern about the herring gull, the Environment Department said the bird was humanely captured by officers and was now in the care of charity the JSPCA.

Gulliver is to be taken to Les Minquiers later this week "where it is hoped it will integrate with other seagulls away from human interference".

Should the gull fly back to Jersey "alternative options" will be explored, the department said.

James Rabey
BBC Radio Guernsey

Airline Flybe has been recognised as the most punctual UK-based air service by a consumer watchdog.

The carrier, which serves Jersey and Guernsey, topped Which magazine's list of regional airlines, based on analysis of Civil Aviation Authority statistics.

Eighty per cent of Flybe flights arrived in the UK within 15 minutes of their estimated time of arrival.

The same survey found Guernsey government-owned airline Aurigny scored 78% on the same measure of punctuality, and rated it the best short haul airline. , external

Midfielder Ben Coulter could return to Guernsey FC after more than five years away from the island side.

BBC Radio Jersey

The Channel Islands Christmas lottery, which supports local charitable causes, is being drawn tonight.

The top prize is £950,000, and will continue to go as more tickets are sold today.

BBC Radio Jersey

A decision should be made later on what to do with a seagull which keeps attacking people in Jersey.

Image source, Natalie Mayer Photography

Environment Minister Steve Luce says the options are limited and so is the budget.

He says there have been so many complaints that something must be done, although he's ruled out killing the bird despite his department previously saying killing Gulliver, as he's become known, was an option.

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

The fares are tied to the launch of a new website, which had been running parallel to the existing site in order to gauge user feedback.

Customers have since been experiencing issues with the existing site linked to problems with the reservations system, Aurigny said..

The loss-making states-owned airline didn't want to introduce the site and fares today because it said it would give the wrongful impression the design of the web page was poor.

Alex Osborne
BBC Weather

A fine and dry day today with some good spells of sunshine.

Cloud will thicken by the evening though.

There will be light winds and a maximum of 9C (48F).

BBC Weather Watchers

Thanks to our BBC Weather Watchers for sending these spectacular pics in this morning.

They come from Brass, also in St Sampson this morning, and our regular cloud fancier Chris Cumulus, in St Andrew.

BBC Radio Jersey

A former nurse will be the new head of Jersey's General Hospital.

Robert Sainsbury, who is now in charge of NHS services in Devon will take over from Helen O'Shea, who leaves in February after five years in the role.

He started off as a nurse in South Wales before getting promoted.

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

Early risers in Guernsey have been treated to a spectacular sunrise this morning.

Thanks to my colleague Luke who snapped this outside the BBC at Bulwer Avenue, St Sampson.

Sarah Bailey
Broadcast Journalist, BBC Radio Jersey

Work begins later to lift a luxury boat out the water off the coast of Jersey.

The boat was travelling between Jersey and Guernsey last month when it struck a buoy and sank.

Image source, Tony Rive

The yacht had reached Portelet off Jersey's south west coast last month when it hit the buoy.

The two men on-board sent a distress call, abandoned ship on a life raft, and were rescued by the inshore lifeboat.

Their yacht was towed, but only got as far as Noirmont, where it sank in about 65ft (20m) of water.

Fourteen divers and a 200-tonne crane will start work later, on what's been described as a complex and delicate operation.

Edward Rowe
Broadcast Journalist, BBC Radio Guernsey

Aurigny has delayed the launch of its new fare structure and website until 2018.

The States-owned airline announced the changes in September, and was expected to launch the new fares today.

Under the changes, hand-luggage only passengers stand to save on current fares.

Aurigny said: "It is very disappointing to have been forced to postpone the launch of our new website, but unfortunately matters outside of our immediate control have made it unavoidable."

The airline said it was working hard with the supplier of its reservation system which is causing issues with its new website, resulting in it running slowly and on some occasions customers being unable to access it.

BBC Radio Jersey

More than half of Jersey employers questioned about changes to employment law were in favour of extending periods of maternity leave for staff.

The Employment Forum has published a report, external with a series of recommendations to improve the quality of life for Jersey families.

New mothers are currently entitled to two weeks' paid leave and another six weeks' unpaid.

The forum says this isn't enough and from 2019, it wants to offer new parents a whole year off within a three year period.

Chairwoman Helen Ruelle says many companies can see the benefits of a more family friendly arrangement.

She said: "Lots of employers are very clear here, they do see a benefit in generally improving rights for their employees in this area. And that has come across in certain aspects of the consultation particularly."

• Jersey maternity leave introduced by States

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A woman escaped without serious injuries from a crash on a St Ouen road in Jersey last night.

The lone female driver was treated on the scene by ambulance staff.

Police and fire services also attended.

Mark Inchley
BBC Channel Islands News

The UK government is defending the removal of tax relief on low value items being imported from the Channel Islands, despite a BBC investigation revealing it has brought in just a fraction of the tax revenue predicted.

HMRC scrapped Low Value Consignment Relief in 2012 which led to the collapse of some local businesses while others were forced off-island to other jurisdictions.

The UK government insists the move addressed the problem of unfair competition following complaints from retailers in the UK.

But five years on the BBC has found it resulted in just £10m-a-year in additional tax revenue compared to the £100m predicted.