A GERMAN tank used during the World War Two occupation of Jersey is heading back to the island after six decades in Dorset.

The Channel Islands was the only part of Britain to be occupied during the war, and in the months following the 1945 Allied victory the Char B Tank was shipped to the Bovington Tank Museum for posterity.

Now the 25-tonne former heavyweight is returning on loan to its wartime home to form a display at the popular Jersey War Tunnels attraction.

Tank museum curator David Willey said: "The Char B has great significance to the island as it was one of 17 tanks actually stationed in Jersey and used by the Germans during the occupation."

Its main use will be as an educational tool for the island's schoolchildren, as many have never seen a tank up close for real.

The Char B's voyage home was due to start at 12noon today when it will be taken on a low-loader to Portsmouth Harbour. From there it leaves the mainland by ferry, finally reaching its destination on Wednesday.

War Tunnels chief executive Paul Simmonds said: "This is quite an extraordinary project and a momentous journey for this tank to make.

"During its time with us we hope that island visitors, locals and school groups will join us in a series of talks aimed at bringing this dark period in our history to life."

The loan, likely to be around two years, was made possible because the Bovington museum is undergoing a major £16 million rebuild.

Jersey's Lieutenant Governor Andrew Ridgway, who is also a tank museum trustee, explained: "Bovington has the finest collection of tanks in the world and knowing that there was a Renault Char B1 in the collection that had been based in Jersey during the occupation, I offered accommodation for it in Jersey.

"It will give the people of Jersey the opportunity to see an important part of the occupation weaponry at close hand and hopefully will prompt some increased interest in the War Tunnels in the island and in the UK."