Northern isle's card scene

UP TO four inches of snow fell in parts of Alderney from around 10pm on Sunday night and everyone woke up to a Christmas card scene not experienced since 1982.

The weather forced the airport to close for several hours at a time on Monday and caused trouble for drivers.

New police sergeant James Priest and his team of officers were kept busy helping motorists out of difficult situations, while many of the island's taxi drivers decided not to risk working in dangerous conditions.

Children from St Anne's School already had the day off due to a faulty boiler and many of them spent their free time sledging and throwing snowballs.

The only school to open in the Bailiwick on Monday was Alderney's Ormer House and children there were treated to a morning in the white stuff building snowmen.

Brian Bonnard, the Alderney Journal's weather statistician, said it was the first time in more than 26 years that a large amount of snow had fallen in the island.

'It has snowed in Alderney about three times in the last 20 years. The most significant amount fell in December 1982 when we had six inches and the airport had to close for a week,' he said.

'I remember it well because I had just bought a house in the island and had come over to mow the lawn before moving in. I had barely got started on the four acres of land before the heavens opened and the snow came down.

'I now know it is very rare for snow to settle in Alderney and that it usually melts a few hours after falling.'

Mr Bonnard explained why snow isn't a regular visitor to the northern isle.

'Being a small island, the air temperature tends to stay close to the sea temperature and the sea hardly ever freezes.

'It has only ever frozen once in recent times and I think that was in January 1987 when the temperature dropped to -9C – the lowest ever recorded in the island.'

THERE'S still time for wannabe pop stars to get involved in X-Factor-style auditions in Guernsey and Jersey.

Alderney music producer Max Mason, who set up Wowave Productions with lyricist Jane Aireton last year, is hoping to unearth a star to front numerous songs he has submitted to various London record labels.

Former pop star Max, who wrote hit track Doin' It, which sold more than 750,000 copies worldwide in the early 1990s, will host the first audition at Moores Hotel in Guernsey on 15 February and a second on 16 February at Jersey's Mayfair Hotel.

Max said numerous applicants had already been in touch.

'Lots of people from Guernsey and Jersey have contacted me asking to come along.

'All of them believe they have what it takes to be the next big thing – so let's hope they deliver on the day.'

Applicants must have a great singing voice, good looks and be aged between 16 and 30.

Anyone interested in taking part should visit www.wow.gg or call 07839 107001.