Rob England
BBC News Online

A former director of music at Jersey's Town Church has been charged with historic sex offences.

Kenneth Francis, 71, of Akasaka in Tokyo, was charged with 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of committing an act of gross indecency.

The alleged offences happened in Chelmsford, Essex, according to police.

Four boys under the age of 16 are believed to be involved with the incidents, said to have happened between 1972 and 1979.

Mr Francis left Jersey some time after April 2017, according to the Diocese of Canterbury.

He is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on 12 December, along with church musician Malcolm Archer.

Simon Fairclough
Guernsey Political Reporter

Changes could be made to the law in Guernsey to allow 18 year olds to stand in the island's next election.

The possibility was discussed at today's meeting of the States Assembly and Constitution Committee, which has responsibility for planning the full island-wide election in June 2020.

Currently you have to be 20 years old to be able to stand.

The committee was told that apparently at the last election there were two 19 year olds who said they would have stood if the law would have allowed.

Local schools and the Youth Commission will be consulted as part of the process.

BBC Weather

Tonight will be very blustery with a strong to gale force westerly wind.

There will be some clear spells too but with a few further showers likely as well.

Minimum temperatures overnight of 9C (48F).

Jersey:

Guernsey:

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

The rear bumper of a car was damaged in a minor crash in Guernsey, police have said.

It happened on Rue De La Croix Estate in Castel on 4 December between 14:30 and 14:50.

The damaged car was a red Ford Fiesta, officers added.

Any witnesses are asked to contact police on 725111.

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

Several ferry sailings from the islands to St Malo and Portsmouth have been cancelled , externaldue to the weather conditions.

Condor Ferries said it's due to the "gale force winds and large waves" forecast.

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

An orange weather warning for wind remains in place across the islands, Jersey Met has said.

It added gales of force nine are set to continue.

Image source, Jersey Met

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

A full rainbow was spotted over the airfield at Guernsey Airport earlier.

Despite the splash of colour, scattered blustery showers are set to continue throughout the day, Guernsey Met said.

If you have any pictures to share, please email us., external

Image source, Guernsey Met

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport

Jersey Reds make six changes for their Championship Cup clash with Ealing.

Victory for the Reds at St Peter would seal top spot in their pool and increase their winning run to a remarkable 11 matches in all competitions.

Image source, Jacqurline Ranieri

Will Homer and Aaron Penberthy come into the half-back positions in place of Calum Waters and Brett Herron while Apakuki Ma'afu starts at centre ahead of Mark Best, and Jason Worrall comes in on the wing in place of Jack Stapley.

Dave McKern returns to the second row in place of the injured Jerry Sexton while Janco Venter is picked at number eight.

Jersey Reds: Slowik; Worrall, Ma'afu, Best, Van Dam; Penberthy, Homer; Godfrey (capt), Macfarlane, Atalifo, Beckett, McKern, Argyle, Bartle, Venter.

Replacements: Selway, Morley, Rodman, Upfield, Hatherell, Waters, Herron.

BBC Radio Guernsey

An obstetrician and gynaecologist at the Guernsey Medical Specialist Group says States-funded IVF was under consideration when the decision was made to scrap a fertility treatment, external for certain cases.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is still available for some - like same-sex couples - but others were told it was no longer an option.

Frank Hopkins says States-funded IVF could save money in the long run, as couples would not risk inserting multiple embryos to ensure success, which can lead to dangerous twin or triplet pregnancies.

In a statement, Health and Social Care said a decision over IVF funding will form part of a wider review of drugs and treatments and reiterated that intrauterine insemination is still being considered for some patients.

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

There were three drink drive arrests in Guernsey on Thursday - which totals almost half of all drink-drive arrests made since an anti-drink-drive campaign was launched by police 10 days ago.

The arrests took place at North Esplanade at St Peter Port, Route de Sausmarez in St Martin and Castle Road in the Vale.

Officers said people should look at other options for getting home if they're going out drinking.

Image source, Guernsey Police

BBC Radio Guernsey

The final section of the Guille-Allès Children's Library was officially opened on Thursday night by the Bailiff, Sir Richard Collas.

A private reception was held with sponsors, contractors, the local community and children's groups as well as members of the States Education Sport and Culture committee.

Funded by the Ana Leaf Foundation, the "Tree of Knowledge and Reading Circle" provides a creative space for children to get excited about reading.

Work was completed using £156,000 which was donated by benefactors and the general public and constructed by inmates of Les Nicolles Prison.

Chief librarian, Laura Milligan, says the library doesn't struggle to attract children...

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

The second security lane has now been opened at Guernsey Airport in time for the festive season.

Two lanes are available for security screening for hand luggage at peak times, instead of the temporary restriction to one lane.

The restriction was in place due to building works that were taking place at the security search area in the passenger terminal.

Image source, Tyrrell Dowinton Associates

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

Civil servants have gathered in Liberation Square as part of strike action in a row over pay.

On Thursday night, some public sector workers in Jersey were offered revised pay deals by the government.

However, one union - Prospect - said it was a "further insult" to pay negotiations.

The walk out started at 09:00 and is due to last for two hours.

Image source, Natasha Da Silva

Image source, Natasha Da Silva

Jersey Reds confirm that 21 of their current squad will stay with the club until the summer of 2020.

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

A large hole "big enough to swallow a car" has appeared in the road outside Le Clos Sara, La Rue Sara Henri, police have said.

Officers added there is no access past the estate.

The road is closed until further notice.

BBC Radio Jersey

Public sector workers in Jersey are striking despite an eleventh hour pay offer from the States.

On Thursday, some of the lowest paid States employees, including manual workers and people working at the energy from waste plant, were offered bigger pay rises.

Image source, Google

Teaching assistants, which are joining the walkout, are now being given the same pay increases as the teachers they work with.

The offer for nurses and midwives, who are not striking, was also revised.

But Terry Renouf, from the Prospect union, says it's an insult:

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

Winds reaching force nine are expected across the islands, Jersey Met has said.

It has issued an orange weather warning.

Image source, Jersey Met

Miranda Griffin
BBC Radio Guernsey

A 94-year-old woman in Guernsey is making sculptures from scrap metal to help her stay active and healthy.

Frankie Billington started making metal sculptures at 92, despite her doctor's advice that welding was too adventurous.

She hopes her hobby will allow her to reach the same age as her mother, who died a week before her 110th birthday.

She's part of a sculpture group that meets once a week.

The plane may have stalled before the crash which killed two men in Wiltshire, say investigators.

BBC Weather

Early cloud and rain will clear eastwards, leaving sunny intervals.

However, there will be a strong and gusty westerly wind with a few showers likely later this afternoon.

Highs of 11C (51F).

Jersey:

Guernsey: