Jersey to host 2015 Island Games

Jersey win their bid to host the 2015 Island Games

Jersey has won the right to stage the 2015 Island Games after beating Gotland by a single vote.

The competition was held in Jersey 18 years ago but the island has not hosted the event since.

The vote was announced at the Island Games AGM in the Isle of Wight by chief executive Jorgen Petterson.

Phil Austin, from the Jersey bid committee told BBC Jersey: "I am relieved, absolutely relieved, after all the work that's gone into it."

Each of the competing 25 islands had two votes to cast and the six-man executive team had one each.

Bo Frikenstam, leader of the Gotland bid team, told BBC Jersey: "One vote and one blank vote, I congratulate Phil and his team for a very good fight. It was fair and it was very hard, good luck with your Games."

Derek de la Hay, Jersey's assistant director of sport and culture said: "We always knew it was going to be close, a lot of work went into it and now we're looking forward to it."

It was also confirmed at the AGM that event sponsor Natwest will continue for another two games in 2013 and the Jersey Games in 2015.