The new Footes Lane stadium grandstand cost �1.2m

Competitors from 23 islands, including St Helena, the Faroes and Rhodes, are all getting together to compete in Europe's largest multi-sport bi-annual event.

The teams will be competing in 15 sports at more than 30 venues during the week-long event, which starts with an Olympic-style opening ceremony on Saturday.

Games logistics director Paul Luxon says it marks the end of five years of hard work and planning.

Island communities

More than 300 people are travelling from Jersey alone.

The Island Games started in the Isle of Man 18 years ago with the aim of bringing together island communities from around the world in a festival of sport.

Such was its success that it became a bi-annual event.

Guernsey last hosted the games in 1987. Jersey provided the venue in 1997.

John Hunt, chairman of the Guernsey Island Games Association, said he hoped everyone taking part would enjoy a week of excellent competition, excitement, fun and friendly rivalry in equal measure.

He said: "The week of the games promises a feast of sporting achievement.

The new pistol was finished in time for the games

"Standards increase in every games and the debut appearance of the newest member island, Bermuda, promises to add a freshness and increased competition to many of the established contenders."

Several new facilities have been created for the games, including a �1.2m grandstand at Footes Lane and a new pistol shooting range at Chouet.

The official opening on Saturday will be at the Victoria Marina in St Peter Port rather than at the games' base at Beau Sejour.

The traditional Water Ceremony will see water from all 25 islands form the focus of the opening. It will arrive at Victoria Marina aboard a flotilla of boats.

More than 2,000 athletes will then participate in a march past, led by the Games mascot, Daniel the Donkey.