Enjoying the sunshine at the Liberation Monument yesterday are, left to right, Bruno Lorreto, Gary Watson and Tim Le Lacheur. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0750338)

GUERNSEY was the sunniest place in the British Isles last month. March saw the most sunshine since records began in 1947.

Petit Bot tearooms owner Joao Gouveia said he had noticed more visitors than in previous years.

‘We have seen an increase in people,’ he said. ‘I believe this is down to the great weather we had in March.

‘We have only been open for seven days in the last two weeks but we have had a lot of families coming for ice creams at around 3pm, when the schools finish.’

Guernsey saw a total of 214.8 hours of sunshine, compared with the average of 126.1. Rainfall was just 54.4mm, also below the monthly average.

As well as the sunshine and the warmer daytime temperatures there was a lower-than- normal average wind speed.

‘We usually open mid-March, but we have been really lucky this year with the weather,’ said Port Soif Tea Gardens employee Hannah Russell. ‘We have had some really busy weekends like we wouldn’t normally have until later in the year. We are really looking forward to the summer season now.’