The number of births on the Island went up last year.

There were 1019 registered by the end of December, slightly up on the 2008 figure of 979.

And it seems the Island's population has been growing as the number of deaths registered was just 816, compared to 850 the previous year.

The figures from the General Registry are based on the 2006 Census population total of 80,058.

They show that despite the higher figures for the year overall, both the births and deaths dropped off in the final quarter of the year with just 222 births and 210 deaths registered, compared to the 2008 figures of 253 births and 231 deaths in the same quarter of 2008.

When it comes to names, some old favourites still make it into the most popular names for boys with Charlie, Alfie, Jack and Joshua all featuring in the top five.

However, Ethan makes it in at number three and Cameron makes it in at number eight - though whether that's a nod to a popular Australian TT star or a possible future Prime Minister isn't clear.

For the girls, Lily tops the list with Olivia in at number two and the perhaps more surprising Imogen and Mia making it onto the list.

Bagpuss' favourite girl, Emily, is still much loved it seems - the third most popular girl's name on the Island last year.