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Jersey Tourism says German speakers are needed after the number of visitors from the country increased by a quarter.

The organisation is launching an appeal for local German speakers to train as guides on a new five-day course.

The number of visitors from the country rose by 23% following a sales drive over the past two years.

Tourist guide Anne Le Cornu said Jersey was seen as a safe destination by visitors from Europe.

She said: "They just love everything here, the plants, the food and the way of life. There is no 'hectic' and people are polite.

"Jersey people take it for granted I think."

Jersey Tourism marketing manager, Simon Le Huray, said the popularity of Jersey musician Nerina Pallot in Germany and five direct flights a week contributed to the increase.

He said about an extra 1,000 tourists from the country had visited Jersey by June alone, compared to the whole of summer 2011.