Island Games 2015: Organisers 'confident' Jersey is ready

The 2013 Island Games opening ceremony in Bermuda

Organisers in Jersey are 'confident' that everything is in place to host next month's Island Games.

The week-long event, which will have as many competitors as last year's Winter Olympics in Sochi, begins on 27 June.

Phil Austin, a member of the organising committee, told BBC Radio Jersey: "There's an air of confidence about it.

"We feel as though we're pretty ready. All the major arrangements are in place such as the travel, accommodation and the opening and closing ceremonies."

Athletes from 24 islands from around the world will compete in 16 sports at the biennial event , with Jersey last hosting the games in 1997.

Austin says Jersey residents can help "create an atmosphere that'll be unrivalled" by supporting local athletes and teams.

"We know there is great interest, the mood is really hotting up. I hope and expect and anticipate that the Jersey public will respond very positively," he added.

"It's been a long time in the making and with 30-odd days to go we're quite keen to get on with it."

Austin admits organisers will anxiously follow weather forecasts in the coming weeks as it has the potential to cause major traffic disruptions for competing nations trying to reach the island.

Jersey is dependent on air and sea links, but fog, or continued problems with a new multi-million pound ferry that has begun serving the island this year, could throw a spanner in the works.

"The margin for error on the travel is very small," Austin said. "The opening ceremony starts at 1900 and Gotland are the last to arrive here at 1730 on that Saturday afternoon.

"If there's fog or delays on any flights it'll set us back. All my concerns are around travel, so obviously we hope for good weather."