ISLANDERS have been braving the cold and rain and scrabbling over slippery rocks in search of ormers.

But Robert Staples, 55 (pictured), said the race against the tides off Lihou was made worth it when he had filled a big bag with the slippery delicacies.

‘I got a good dozen today – it’s been a good one. I have been here since 11am,’ he said, wandering back exhausted at 3pm.

‘These are all going to my father, who is an 83-year-old fisherman and who took me ormering for the first time when I was seven.’

Mr Staples said the catch on that first outing had been even more impressive.

‘It was blowing an easterly and snowing, and we were the only two people there, on Belle Greve, and we managed to come back up the beach with dozens and dozens, so we kept only the biggest.’

Since then the former fisherman and landscape gardener has been a regular ormerer.