A car hire firm has apologised after it suggested the island of Sark is an ideal place for a leisurely road trip.

Cars are banned on the tiny island in the English Channel.

The marketing gaffe was made on the Avis website, on which it suggested "virtually untouched" Sark was the perfect location for a leisurely drive.

The international car hire firm has since apologised and has made a £500 donation to the local Sark charity, The Sark Sanctuary Centre.

Reverend Karen Le Mouton of the centre said she appreciated the donation.

The lack of cars encourages locals to "stop and talk" to each other, according to the Reverend, which helped maintain a strong "community welcome".

Sark Tourism did not seem terribly affronted by the gaffe, stating that it welcomes any form of publicity. But they did underline the fact that people should not bring their cars to Sark.

The 2.1 sq mile island is home to around 600 people and is one of a tiny number of places where motor cars are not permitted.

However, tractors and horse-drawn vehicles are allowed. Cycling is also a popular mode of transport.

The car rental company said: "We hope we haven't disappointed too many of our customers with the fact that the island's spectacular roads are indeed off-limits to cars."

Cars are permitted on the larger islands of Guernsey and Jersey, located nearby.

Sark has its own legislation based on Norman laws, but is a royal fief and is a Crown dependency of the United Kingdom.