FIGURES from Brian Bonnard’s weather station suggest Alderney – not Guernsey – was the sunniest part of the British Isles in March.

Earlier this month came claims that the bigger island was brightest after recording 214.8 hours of sunshine last month.

But statistics provided by island weather recorder Mr Bonnard indicate that Alderney enjoyed 272 hours of sunshine in March – almost 50 hours more than our sister isle and twice the amount recorded in the same period last year.

Mr Bonnard said: ‘With a month that was generally agreed to feel cold, we nevertheless had our sunniest March since 1955 and possibly ever.

‘Three days with 11 hours and 11 days with 10 hours helped towards the massive total of 272 hours – almost exactly double last year and three times the 20-year average.’

Statistics for January, February and March suggest Alderney is on course for one of its sunniest years ever.

‘With almost-clear skies from sunrise to sunset on 15 days in March, the total sunshine for the first quarter amounted to 482 hours.

‘Only nine years since 1955 have recorded more than 300 hours and only two of those had more than 350 hours,’ said Mr Bonnard.

States marketing manager Joanna Parmentier said: ‘March was wonderfully sunny and hopefully the good weather will convince people to holiday in Alderney this year.

‘We’re due a good summer weather-wise, and with the euro exchange rate being so poor, it is just another reason to give Alderney a chance.’

Also in March, rainfall was equal to the 20-year average, while temperature, wind speed, barometric pressure and humidity were all similar to the 10-year average.

FORMER bank manager Neil Hunter (left) has been appointed a jurat at the Court of Alderney.

Mr Hunter, who replaces Alison Crawford, was sworn in shortly before the police court on 2 April.

He said he felt very honoured at being appointed to Alderney’s judiciary and was pleased the public ceremony went without a hitch.

‘I didn’t fall over and didn’t fluff my lines too much,’ said a jovial Mr Hunter, who works as an office assistant at Century Accounting in Victoria Street.

‘I’m looking forward to working on some interesting cases and serving the community and island I love.

‘It was a huge honour to be asked to become a jurat and I feel very proud having been appointed.’

Mr Hunter, who lives in Newtown Road with his wife Jackie and son Robert, 16, and daughter Vanessa, 22, who is currently at university, prepared for his first sitting by receiving advice from Jurat Colin Partridge and Greffier Sarah Kelly.

After Mr Hunter was sworn in, Jurat Partridge said: ‘To be appointed is recognition of the confidence placed in you. It is also one of the highest honours bestowed on a citizen of Alderney.’

Mr Hunter, who is originally from Sale, Greater Manchester, moved to Alderney in 1991 to work as manager of the island’s HSBC branch.

He became familiar with the island through visiting his sister, who has lived in Guernsey for the past 25 years.