Call to protect Sark's uniqueness

Sark has no cars or street lighting

People in Sark are being asked to back a charter on the web to help preserve the island's unique aspects.

There are no cars, no buses and no street lights on the tiny Channel Island which forms part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

Now La Societe Sercquaise has created The Sark Charter of Community Values to help protect the island's environment and heritage.

The charter contains 10 statements for people to pledge their support to.

These include the ban on cars, the protection of the coast and landscape and the strengthening of Sark's economic self-sufficiency.

La Societe Sercquaise was founded in 1975 to study, preserve and enhance the island's natural environment and cultural heritage.

A spokesperson for the organisation said: "The society's council has identified areas of great importance to our way of life, hoping to find widespread community support.

"We want to do everything possible to protect the unspoiled diversity that makes Sark unique - and vulnerable in the 21st century. We can't afford to take these things for granted."

In December, the island held its first election to choose a democratic government for nearly 450 years.