Girl Guide Erin Kelly and Scout Freddie Sime carry the International Peace Light into the Royal Chapel of St John’s.

The tradition began in 1986 and every year since has seen a child from Austria travelling to Bethlehem and kinding a light from the Eternal Flame inside the Church of the Nativity.

The light is then flown to Austria where it is distributed to international delegations at a Service of Dedication and Distribution.

Thanks to co-operation between the Scouts and Guides in many countries, the light has travelled throughout Europe, America, Canada and Australasia. As in previous years, local scouts and guides will also light their own flames from the light, to distribute around the island to churches, care homes, Rebecca House and various community groups.