BBC Radio Guernsey

More than 150 people have signed a petition asking for the introduction of approved port status at Sark's harbour.

The island's Chamber of Commerce believes it will be an important and inexpensive first step to provide direct international ferry links with France and the European continent.

It says the introduction of approved port and customs status for La Maseline Harbour is "essential to rescuing the island's stagnating visitor economy".

It adds the presentation of the petition to all Chief Pleas members has so far failed to earn itself a place on the agenda of any political meeting.

The island has a population of about 500 people.

BBC Radio Jersey

Image source, PA

Jersey's health minister hopes a new States contract with a mental health charity will help people who are most in need in the island.

My Voice, external works with people of all ages who are severely affected by mental illness.

The two-year contract will see the States fund the charity's services.

Deputy Richard Renouf says it's important to support the much-needed work they do.

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport

Image source, Jacqui Ranieri

Jersey Reds second row Dave McKern is to leave the club this summer after four years.

The 29-year-old Australian is moving to Championship rivals Ealing for next season having played 69 times for the Reds.

“Dave is another player who we have been looking at for a while and is one of the best second-rowers in the Championship," Ealing director of rugby Ben Ward said.

"He has a lot of experience in this league and with his knowledge at set-piece we know he will be a very good player for us next season.”

Jenna Hawkey
BBC News Online

Police have carried out a controlled explosion, external after a World War II German 105mm shell was discovered close to a beacon west of Jersey's Elizabeth Castle.

Explosive experts carried out the detonation at the low water mark opposite First Tower.

The location was cordoned off to members off the public until the shell had been safely disposed of.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Image source, Ben Chapple

Major renovation work to save the Little Chapel will be completed for Easter.

The work, which included stabilisation works, the replacement of the roof, repairs to the clinker backdrop of the Grotto and filling the voids under the chapel, have taken more than three years to complete.

The total cost reached £500,000.

Image source, Ben Chapple

The Little Chapel:

• Is the third and largest of three built on the site
• The original was built in 1914 by Brother Deodat and was 9ft (3m) by 4.5ft (1.4m) wide. He demolished it following criticism
• He built a second within four months, which measured 9ft (3m) by 6ft (2m), however, when the Bishop of Portsmouth visited in 1923, he could not fit through the door.
• Brother Déodat again demolished his creation and started to build a third, but went to France in 1939 and died there having never seen the finished chapel
• He collected pebbles and broken china to decorate the shrine
• After work had begun, the chapel received media attention, and donations came from around the world including a mother of pearl from Guernsey's lieutenant governor

BBC Radio Guernsey

Two-hundred-million pounds has been earmarked to upgrade the States' IT systems.

UK company Agilisys Limited has been announced as the preferred bidder for a large programme of work, which the government says will change the way people interact with the States forever.

Chief Information Officer at the States Colin Vaudin says it's a good long-term investment.

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport

Jersey director of rugby Harvey Biljon has brought in six new faces to his side for the trip to Nottingham following last week's record home loss.

The 45-14 defeat to Ealing last week was Jersey's biggest home defeat in a Championship match since they were promoted seven seasons ago.

Image source, Rich Chapman

Outgoing hooker Nick Selway replaces Jack Macfarlane, Rory Bartle comes in for Dave McKern in the second row and Jake Upfield is selected at flanker with Kyle Hatherell moving to number eight and Janco Venter dropping to the bench.

Will Homer takes over from Liam Howley at scrum-half, while Harlequins-bound Brett Herron moves from full-back to fly-half in place of Aaron Penberthy.

James Newey starts on the wing, while George Eastwell replaces Mark Best at centre.

Jersey Reds:Van Dam; Newey, Ma'afu, Eastwell, Worrall; Herron, Homer; Godfrey, Selway, Atalifo, Sexton (capt), Bartle, Upfield, Joyce, Hatherell

Replacements:Macfarlane, Morley, Alexis, Beckett, Venter, Howley, Stapley

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport

Jersey football manager Martin Cassidy has named a provisional 24-man squad as the island side prepares for a busy end to the season.

Thirteen players from champions St Paul's - including a recall for experienced player-coach Stuart Andre - are named in the squad.

Title rivals St peter provide six players including teenage striker Sol Solomon and debutant Ruben Mendes.

Jersey face the British Army on 9 May in the final of the Southern Counties Cup before playing rivals Guernsey in the Muratti.

They will also face sides from Ireland, Northern Ireland and Middlesex in the Jacksons International Trophy ahead of the football tournament in Ynys Mon for Island Games islands.

The latter event is being held as football is not among the sports being competed at the official Island Games in Gibraltar in July.

Jersey squad:

Euan van der Vliet, Harry Curtis, Jay Giles, Jonny Le Quesne, Adam Trotter, Jack Boyle, Michael Weir, Zeljko Martinovic, Craig Russell, Kieran Lester, Stuart Andre, Fraser Barlow, Jack Cannon (all St Paul’s), Danny Birrell, James Queree, Kamen Nafkha (all Jersey Wanderers), Luke Campbell, Ruben Mendes, Harry Cardwell, Calvin Weir, Sol Solomon, Karl Hinds (all St Peter), George Glithero (Rozel Rovers) and Connor O’Shea (St Clement).

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey is expected to have up to 15 cruise ships visit this summer.

The first one of 2019 is expected to sail into Jersey later.

MS-Hamburg has already visited the Canary Islands, Spain, Portugal and France.

The ship will anchor in St Aubin's Bay before going to Dover.

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey's States will meet teachers unions next week after they announced eight days of strikes.

The National Education Union says it will walk out over four weeks in May over the pay dispute.

The Chamber of Commerce has called on the States to give free childcare to parents who have to give up work to look after their children when the strikes are on.

The States has asked the union to reconsider its decision.

BBC Radio Jersey

A scrutiny panel is suggesting Jersey should change its planning laws so the States has responsibility for approving or rejecting major infrastructure projects - such as the hospital.

At the moment, the final decision falls to the environment minister.

The chief minister - in response to the scrutiny report - partially accepts the recommendation.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Image source, Getty Images

Police are trying to trace the owner of a Staffordshire bull terrier which attacked and killed a cat in St Sampson.

It happened on Friday at about 14:00 on Les Osmonds Lane.

An investigation's been launched and Guernsey Police said they want to speak to anyone who saw what happened.