I'd definitely recommend a Canon digicam.
I got a Powershot A70 a year ago for around the price range you've given, but as Bifta said, you can now get the excellent 4MP Powershot A80 for roughly that price.
I also agree with Bifta that an A80 would be better than an Ixus - the Ixus range is quite nice, but you'd be paying a lot extra simply to have a slim camera with less features. The A80 is bigger than the Ixus models, but still easy to handle & use, & no bigger than a normal film compact camera.
Don't just look in Jersey though - try online. Saint Helier has a Jessops & a couple of other good places that sell digicams, but the only price difference between Jersey & the UK is the lack of VAT. You may get a better deal from an online retailer, even though you'd have to pay VAT.
I bought my A70 from
www.cameras2u.com.
They currently sell the more recent Powershot A80 for £229 (inc. VAT):
http://www.cameras2u.com/products/de...UCT=9026A006AA
EDIT: They also have the
S50 for £289, & the G5
for £379