Lihou lures the snowmen hunters

The main focus of the afternoon was a snowman hunt organised by Lihou warden Steve Sarre and his family, who hid seven hand-made snowmen around the island and gave youngsters maps to help them find them.

Each snowman was guarding a letter which made up a hidden word – ‘Rainbow’ – and once the hunters had all the letters and guessed the word they could claim a prize of sweets.

Mr Sarre said he was delighted at the turnout, despite low temperatures and pouring rain at the start: ‘The weather hasn’t put people off,’ he said.

‘It’s great to see the youngsters coming over who’ve been here before.’

Barbara Crowson was enjoying a special day out on the island: ‘It’s my birthday today,’ she said. ‘I’ve brought the grandchildren over here for a nice little walk.’

She said she had headed straight for the mulled wine, but youngsters Charlotte and George Pierce, 3 and 7, and Katie Jeffreys, 10, were preparing for the snowman hunt.

‘I promised them we’d come here,’ said Mrs Crowson. ‘They love it and we’ve been loads of times, for the duck racing and my son slept here when he was at primary school.

‘I just think it’s great.’

Also enjoying the afternoon were Aoife and Eoghan McCarthy, 6 and 5, who had completed the snowman hunt and, having found the hidden word, claimed their prizes from the awards table.

‘We come over for the duck races,’ said Eoghan. ‘Mine always wins.’

‘This was better than the duck races,’ said his sister. ‘I went up lots of hills and fell down a lot as well.’

As well as mum Karen they were accompanied by their auntie, Becky Avery, who said she had enjoyed her time on the island too: ‘You’ve got to make the most of it when you can,’ she said.

‘It was pouring down when we came over but we’re so grateful to be able to do this in Guernsey when the rest of the world is not a very nice place.’