Live updates for the Channel Islands have finished for the day, but we'll be back at 07:00 on Friday with the latest news, sport, travel and weather.

Don't forget Spotlight for the Channel Islands on BBC One later. There will also be news through the night on your BBC Local Radio station.

BBC Radio Jersey

Members of Jersey's public sector unions could walk out if the States does not renegotiate changes to pay, pensions and working conditions.

More than 200 people were at a meeting last night to discuss how members should respond to the proposed offer.

The States is changing the way civil servants and other employees work under what is called a "workforce modernisation programme, external", which looks to make the way the States pays its employees more "fair" and "consistent".

Bob King from the Prospect Union says there is "no reason" for some of the changes.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Islanders who are unable to afford health cover when travelling to the UK could benefit from insurance provided by the States by the end of this year.

President of Health and Social Care, Michelle Le Clerc, says her committee has been working with a private provider after putting the contract out to tender.

Deputy Le Clerc says she will present more information to the States in March, and if approved the changes could be in place by the end of the year.

Rob England
BBC News Online

Barry Le Feuvre was duly elected to the St Helier parish roads committee last night as two candidates fought to fill the committee's final vacancy.

St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft held a hustings at the town hall for candidates Amanda Brown and Barry Le Feuvre, with both speaking about their priorities and plans for the parish.

Ms Brown, supported by Reform Jersey, said she wanted to promote "environmental sustainability", improved living standards and discuss devolving more powers to the committee from the government.

Mr Le Feuvre emphasised the importance of public safety and a need for more pedestrian road crossings and protection for residents around the new hospital development.

Of the 97 ballot papers cast in the vote Mr Le Feuvre received 61 votes and Ms Brown received 36.

Freddie Miller
Broadcast Journalist BBC Radio Jersey

A number of family pets in Jersey spent Christmas in quarantine because their owners did not follow the pet travel rules, the States Veterinary department has said.

Image source, Getty Images

Four dogs and a cat were held in quarantine over the Christmas and New Year period because they had been taken out of the island without a valid rabies vaccination.

Animals must get these vaccinations at least 21 days before they travel, and they need regular boosters to ensure they remain up to date.

The States have said the consequences of getting something wrong can be both financially and emotionally costly - as quarantine facilities are expensive and pets can be separated from their families for up to three weeks.

Last year, 93 pets were refused entry to Jersey.

The most common reason was dogs not having a valid tapeworm treatment, while many without an up to date rabies vaccination were also rejected.

Rob England
BBC News Online

An article in the Times has prompted Guernsey's Chief Minister to reassure the world the island remains "steadfastly loyal to the crown".

In the article, regarding the display of the Bayeux Tapestry in the UK, external, columnist David Aaronovitch concluded it may be time for the UK to return the favour by lending France historical or culturally significant artefacts.

In finishing the piece he suggested "alternatively we could just let them have Guernsey."

Deputy Gavin St Pier responded to the article on social media, saying the island enjoyed "close relations" with France, but was not "owned by or in the gift of the UK".

The Times columnist then suggested a counter proposal, to give them Jersey.

To which Deputy St Pier responded that he "couldn't possibly comment".

Jersey's Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, has not responded to the exchange.

BBC Radio Jersey

The largest provider of social housing in Jersey has been given the go ahead to develop a plan to extend the Millennium Town Park.

Andium Homes bought the Jersey Gas site last year and announced it would build fewer homes than planned there and provide more parking and extend the park.

It will still need planning permission, but the States gave its support to the scheme.

St Helier Constable, Simon Crowcroft, said although there were few details on cost, the scheme would benefit that part of town.

The constable said: "I defer to the expertise of Andium who say they can achieve housing, they can achieve the open space, and they can make the sums work."

BBC Radio Guernsey

Guernsey French speakers will gather for the first ever Metivier night later this month at Torteval Church.

The event is a celebration of Guernsey language in poetry, spoken word and song and is named after local poet George Metivier.

James Dumbelton from the Guernsey Language Commission says Metivier was influential in the 1800s.

BBC Radio Guernsey

States members in Guernsey are debating whether to adopt the government's three-school model for secondary and post 16 education, or alternative proposals to have one school across two sites:

• Deputy Jan Kuttelwascher said he would be supporting the two-school model, which he says is the better of the two, despite the fact he did not "particularly like either"
• Deputy Heidi Soulsby said she believes members should have been presented with a single set of proposals rather than two models, both of which have flaws, and the debate was causing "uncertainty" among teachers, parents and children
• Castel Deputy Chris Green says he cannot support the alternative model, despite being able to see the benefits, as he thinks the plans need more work
• But Deputy Charles Parkinson has said whilst he shares Deputy Green's concerns the government's plans have too many failings
• Policy and Resources Committee member Lyndon Trott has asked whether enough thought has been given to closing schools under the two-school, alternative, plans - which he says needs more details

BBC Radio Jersey

Reducing traffic congestion and improving pedestrian safety on a Jersey road is the subject of a public meeting, external to be held later this month.

Chasse Brunet in St Saviour leads to Grainville, FCJ and St Saviour's schools.

Image source, Google

Officers will be taking comments and questions from the public at St Saviour's Primary School at about 16:45 on Wednesday 24 January.

Jersey Evening Post

Offering flu jabs in pharmacies and a nasal vaccine to all primary school pupils has helped cut the number of reported cases of the virus by nearly half compared to last year, health experts have said, external.

BBC Radio Jersey

Image source, Getty Images

A martial arts club in St Helier has said it is keen to attract more women this year.

The club, Gracie Barra Channel Islands, has been teaching islanders jiu-jitsu since 2001 - and its members have won medals at tournaments in places like Paris and Abu Dhabi.

One of the club's instructors, Matthew Norris, said the "close contact" nature of the sport makes it "very good for self defence".

Simon Fairclough
Guernsey Political Reporter

A former member of Guernsey's Committee for Education, Sport and Culture has urged its current members to resign.

David de Lisle made the suggestion earlier in the first speech on the future of secondary and post-16 education.

Members are debating whether to adopt the government's three-school model, or alternative plans for one school across two sites.

Deputy De Lisle resigned from the committee in mid December saying he was "uncomfortable" with the direction it was taking and urged his former colleagues to follow suit.

He said the committee was "unsure of its position" and was having to "issue amendments" in order to gain support.

Adding a "new committee" should be formed to but forward "the best educational strategy" for the future. The committee is yet to comment.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Musicians in Guernsey are working with States-owned airline Aurigny to "iron out issues" over the carrying of musical instruments on flights.

The airline said talks have been "positive".

In December Dr Andrew Lawrence-King, a Guernsey musician who travels the world with harps of various size, raised concerns about a change in policy that meant all larger instruments must be retrieved from the baggage reclaim with other items stored in the hold, rather than being carried on as hand luggage.

Dr Lawrence-King now says he has a new understanding of why the rules are in place, and work is being done to alleviate some of the original concerns.

Image source, Getty Images

• Aurigny defends new musical instrument policy
• Aurigny musical instrument policy change: Your comments

BBC Radio Jersey

Drivers who cause injury through careless driving will no longer automatically lose their driver's licence after changes to Jersey's road laws, external.

Image source, Getty Images

The offence had carried a mandatory year-long disqualification penalty, but now the ban will be made at a magistrate's discretion.

The courts will also be given the power to order a disqualified driver to pass a new driving test before regaining their licence.

Under the proposals, jail terms for driving over the alcohol limit, or failing to provide a specimen to determine whether you are over the limit, have been increased to 12 months.

This makes the punishment for the offence the same as those convicted of driving "whilst unfit" through drink or drugs.

The changes were unanimously approved by the States on 16 January, with 36 members voting.

Freddie Miller
Broadcast Journalist BBC Radio Jersey

Islanders interested in the planning and design of Jersey's esplanade quarter have been invited to a workshop on the 31 January, the States has said.

Image source, States of Jersey

A similar event took place in November last year, following a recommendation by an independent planning inspector and politicians on a States scrutiny panel.

At that meeting, issues such as connectivity, accessibility and the importance of creating an area that reflects Jersey's character were discussed.

Officials say the workshops will help them to develop an interim plan for the site, with fully updated proposals to follow "in due course".

The government hopes the development will "integrate" St Helier's waterfront area with the old town, provide more offices for the financial services industry and new homes for local residents.

Guernsey Press

A medical insurance scheme to protect islanders from large bills if they fall ill while in the UK will be launched this year, external.

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

The Facebook profile page of a missing Latvian man has remained active since he disappeared, it has emerged.

Mikus Alps, 33, was last seen in the early hours of Monday 8 January at a residential address in Guernsey. The same day, police discovered his burnt out car containing human bones and a shotgun.

Police said they also received a "sombre" letter purporting to be from Mr Alps since investigating his disappearance.

Mr Alps is an administrator on the public page "Help Ukrainian Defenders C.I." a group with more than 200 members which aims to raise awareness of the conflict in Ukraine and to raise funds to anti-Russian groups operating in the conflict, to which Mr Alps has been linked.

Image source, Facebook/Help Ukrainian Defenders C.I.

Four days after Mr Alps was last seen, his Facebook account accepted a request to join the group, and has since accepted seven requests in total, the latest as recent as today.

It's not known if anyone else has access to Mr Alps' profile, but one of his two fellow group administrators claimed he did not when approached by the BBC. The missing man's Facebook profile has not otherwise been active.

The BBC has approached Guernsey Police to find out if they are aware of Mr Alps' whereabouts in light of these posts.

Captain Simon Geall tells Guernsey FC's players to "rally together" after Wednesday's 5-0 loss to Thamesmead Town.

Rob England
BBC News Online

Image source, Jersey Fire and Rescue Service

A water dispenser caught fire at a business in St Helier this morning, fire crews have said.

The burning dispenser "filled the ground floor with acrid smoke", crews said, and people had to be evacuated from the building.

Officers were called to the property on Broad Street at about 09:30.

The smoke was quickly cleared, and staff were able to re-enter.

Image source, Jersey Fire and Rescue Service