Tim is turning Japanese as Tamaki surfs on the couch

A FEATURE in the travel supplement of The Guardian newspaper opened new horizons for Tim Langlois - and has given others the chance to visit Guernsey.

About three years ago, The Royal Bank of Scotland International IT support worker read about www.couchsurfing.org, a website which connects members to a global community of travellers.

Members put up a profile which can be verified by other members. Profiles can contain as much information as a person wants. Members can say whether they can accommodate guests, if so when, and for how long.

Travellers and their hosts then place feedback about each other on their profiles.

Since November 2010, Mr Langlois, 60, and wife Annick have hosted between 15 and 20 people.