Islanders say goodbye to Mitch Couriard

Hundreds of islanders have turned up to say goodbye to honorary police officer Mitch Couriard at his funeral this afternoon.

People have been paying their respects at the Town Church in St Helier.

Mitch died two weeks ago, aged 61, after being ill for some time.

The former Vingtenier was well known for his volunteer work and contribution to Jersey's youth service.

The funeral of Honorary Police officer Mitch Couriard takes place in Jersey today.

Hundreds of people are expected to pay their respects to the former Vingtenier who was well known for his volunteer work and helping with large community events in the island.

The service will take place at the Town Church in St Helier at 12.30pm.

Screens are being put up in the church hall for members of the public to watch the service, if there isn't enough space in the church. There will also be speakers outside in the grounds of the church.

Members of Jersey's honorary police will form a Guard of Honour at the rear of the building.

A celebration of Mitch's life will take place next month at the Silver Jubilee Activity Centre at Crabbe where his ashes will be released.

A second book of condolence for Mitch Couriard has opened at Jersey Town Hall, to give all islanders the chance to pay their respects.

The first book of condolence opened earlier this week at St James youth centre.

Some people were having difficulty getting to the centre, due to roadworks around St James, so the second book is available for those islanders to pay tribute to Mitch.

The honorary police officer died last Friday, after suffering from an illness for a number of months.

The Jersey Youth Service has opened a book of condolence for Islanders for pay tribute to Honorary police officer, Mitch Couriard, who died last Friday.

He had been unwell for a number of months.

Mitch was known to many islanders for his work, both policing high profile events, including the Battle of Flowers, but also for the years he dedicated to the island's youth service.

He was a Vingtenier in the parish of St Helier, and was made an MBE for his voluntary work.

Mitch was also one of the torch bearers during the relay ahead of the Olympic Games in 2012

The book will be available for people to sign all of this week from 8:30am to 5pm.

Hundred of tributes have flooded in today, following the death of one of Jersey's best-known characters.

Mitch Couriard was a Vingtenier in the honorary police force and had worked tirelessly for the Youth Service.

He died this morning, at the age of 61, after being ill for some time

Gary Burgess has been looking at his unique contribution to island life.

One of Jersey's best known honorary police officers, Mitch Couriard, has died this morning.

He had been unwell for a number of months.

Mitch was known to many islanders for his work, both policing high profile events, including the Battle of Flowers, but also for the years he dedicated to the island's youth service.

He was a Vingtenier in the parish of St Helier, and was made an MBE for his voluntary work.

Mitch was also one of the torch bearers during the relay ahead of the Olympic Games in 2012.

In his work as Youth Resources Officer he created a beach festival to encourage youngsters to make the most of the waters around the island.

It was his passion for encouraging young people to get the best start in life, and the time and effort he volunteered to support youngsters, that meant he was a much-loved figure across the community.