Helen Smith was one of those to receive her CitizenCard yesterday. She is seen with fellow Sixth Form Centre pupils and Fusion doorman Jean-Pierre Giles. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0874419)

NATIONALLY recognised proof of ID cards were handed out in Guernsey for the first time yesterday.

Grammar School Sixth Form Centre students, who applied for the CitizenCard in September, were among the first to receive theirs.

The card has been given to those aged 18. Those aged 17 at the moment will receive theirs on their birthday.

So far, 350 youngsters have applied.

Jack Bichard, 18, said the cards were a good idea as it meant people would not lose their driving licence or passport in Town.

‘It won’t be that big a deal if you have to apply for a new one.’

But Daniel Long, 18, said it was not that useful as driving licences were already accepted, whereas this card was new.

Drugs and Alcohol Strategy co-ordinator Andrea Nightingale said she was pleased by the number of students who had applied.

‘I would like to target young people who have left school, are unemployed and are 18 years old in the same time frame as Year 13 students, so they have the opportunity of obtaining the cards for free.’