Jersey's chief minister goes to funeral of fisherman

The inquest into the death of French fisherman Philippe Lesaulnier opened and adjourned on Friday

Jersey's chief minister will represent the island at the funeral of a French fisherman who died when his boat was in collision with a passenger ferry.

Philippe Claude Lasaulnier's funeral is taking place in Folligny, just outside Granville, in France later.

Mr Lasaulnier died at the end of March in a collision with the Condor Vitesse ferry, which was travelling between St Malo and Jersey in fog.

Senator Terry Le Sueur will go to the funeral on an official visit to France.

Senator Le Sueur said Mr Lasaulnier's death was a tragedy that affects both Jersey and France.

He told BBC News he wanted to show Jersey's respect for his family.

All Condor Ferries staff will be holding a one minute silence for Mr Lasaulnier at 1400 BST.

Jersey's fishing community has so far raised over £4,000 for Mr Lesaulnier's widow and two children.

On Friday, an inquest was opened and adjourned to allow Mr Lesaulnier's body to be released to his family and taken back to France.

The inquest heard Mr Lesaulnier's death was "inevitable and quick".