Jersey‘s parliament has agreed on a red ensign design that locally-registered ships can fly to identify them as from the island.

Unlike channel island neighbour Guernsey, at the moment Jersey’s boat owners have to fly the regular British ensign.

But in April the Queen approved the design of the ensign, which features the island’s coat of arms and a Plantagenet crown, symbolising the link between Jersey and the British Crown.

And yesterday The States also approved the proposal, with many boat owners in the house saying they were pleased that their boat would be identifiable as coming from the island.

Jersey’s Economic Development Minister Senator Alan Maclean said it would carry a ‘sense of real history, credibility and permanence.’

Although the ensign is available for island boat owners to fly, it is completely voluntary and Mr Maclean said owners could carry on flying the plain ensign.

He said: ‘This proposal would grant a privilege to all registered Jersey vessels without distinction.

‘At the same time it would be a voluntary change and anyone wishing to carrying on flying the plain, un-defaced red ensign should continue to do so.’