Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

Sark's Seigneur has backed efforts to establish a customs post in the island, which he says would encourage tourists to travel directly from France.

Earlier, Sark Estate Management announced it was re-opening a hotel and restaurant this summer. It said it was likely the post - which would allow direct travel to the island - would be established.

Maj Christopher Beaumont, who inherited the Seigneur position from his father, said he was aware island politicians were discussing the matter with Guernsey authorities.

He said: "I personally support the move - I think it can be done. I don't think it has to be too expensive.

"We can after all see France quite clearly to the East. It would seem churlish not to find operators who wish to use Sark as a destination from the French mainland."

The Seigneur is the titular head of Sark, and has had many ancient rights and duties revoked, including having the sole right to keep pigeons on the island.

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

A crew planning on filming a big-screen adaptation of a Victor Hugo novel in Guernsey is visiting the island today.

Ballykissangel producer David Shanks has organised the visit with his designer and co-producer ahead of plans to shoot Toilers of the Sea in the Channel Island next summer.

"We've been welcomed with open arms. I think everyone wants to pay tribute to the island in the way Victor Hugo did," Mr Shanks said.

Designer Eryl Ellis said: "The book is very much about the elements and to see the raw coast and this weather is just perfect really for an initial feel of the island."

Victor Hugo wrote Toilers of the Sea during his 15-year exile on Guernsey.

During that time the French poet and author also wrote celebrated works such as The Man Who Laughs, and Les Miserables - recently adapted into a BBC series.

BBC Channel Islands News

They might not be striking, but Guernsey students have today joined others in voicing their concern about climate change.

They gathered at the island's Grammar School earlier as thousands of schoolchildren flooded into city and town centres across England and around the world.

Organisers said the main aim of the gathering was to make Guernsey carbon neutral by 2030.

BBC Radio Jersey

A strike by teachers means most of Jersey's secondary schools will be closed next Tuesday.

More than 200 National Education Union members are due to walk out after refusing their latest government pay offer.

The schools affected are: Grainville, Haute Vallee, Hautlieu, JCG, Le Rocquier, Les Quennevais and Victoria College.

Exams planned for next Tuesday will still go ahead unless the exam board allows them to be moved to another date, the States said.

Schools have written to parents to tell them their plans for next week.

The hotel and restaurant closed in 2014 citing a lack of trade.

BBC Radio Guernsey

A young scout has been praised for putting his first aid training into practice when his dad collapsed at home.

Jack Garbutt from Guernsey had just done a first aid course when his dad, Alan, who had recently had an operation and was recovering at home, lost consciousness.

The teenager immediately remembered his training and checked if his dad was breathing before placing him in the recovery position.

While Jack was giving first aid his mum called 999 for an ambulance.

When the ambulance arrived the crew carried out an assessment and examination and took Alan to hospital for further precautionary tests.

Alan says he’s proud of his son’s actions that evening:

Image source, St John Emergency Ambulance Service

St John first aid trainer and Scout leader Eric Grimsley said: "I am delighted that Jack was able to remember what to do, and put his dad in the recovery position.

"It makes giving up my time to teach Scouts life skills like first aid a worthwhile thing to do with my spare time.”

John Fernandez
BBC Radio Guernsey

Two businesses owned by Sark Estate Management are set to reopen this summer.

The Barclay brothers owned firm is set to open Time & Tide restaurant on the island's avenue, and La Moinerie Hotel.

Both have been closed since 2014, citing a lack of business.

Three other hotels owned by the Barclays, the Aval du Creux, Dixcart Bay, and Petit Champ, have been closed since the start of 2014.

BBC Radio Jersey

A plan to re-zone land for a 65-home development has been rejected by people at a parish assembly in Jersey.

Instead St Peter residents will work with Jersey's Planning Department to include the Ville du Manoir proposal in the 2021 Island Plan.

It follows concerns that changing the existing plan could set a precedent for development in the green zone.

The decision means fields owned by the nearby Classic Herd farm shop could still be re-zoned and built upon - but any such move would form part of a wider review of Jersey's planning rules.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Alderney's Chamber of Commerce is hosting presentations to discuss the 1948 agreement and it's effect on the future economy of the island, following a discussion in the States of Guernsey about a possible review.

The agreement, linking the two islands, was put in place to help Alderney recover from the effects of the German occupation, when the population fell from 1,400 to 600.

There have been some changes to the agreement, most recently in 2016 when Alderney was given more responsibility for funding public services.

BBC Weather

A cloudy, damp and drizzly day, with mist possible at times and strong west to south westerly winds.

Maximum temperatures today between 11 and 12C (52 to 54F).

BBC Radio Jersey

Image source, States of Jersey

A former beekeeper will lead new efforts by Jersey's government to control the spread of Asian hornets.

The appointment of Alistair Christie as Asian Hornet Coordinator forms part of a wider strategy to meet the threat to the island's bees.

A total of 55 nests were discovered in 2018, but the authorities expect to find more this year.