Passengers held on ferry due to strong winds

Afternoon sailings of the Manannan were also pushed back as a result of the delay

Some passengers on the Manannan ferry were kept on board for more than three hours when the vessel docked after wind and tidal conditions in the River Mersey made it unsafe to disembark.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's morning fast craft sailing arrived and docked in Liverpool at about 09:45 BST.

But letting the passengers off the vessel was paused by the ship's master after the conditions worsened, affecting the motion of the vessel next to the berth.

However, the vessel had left on its return journey to Douglas at 14:45, the Steam Packet confirmed.

In a statement the firm said it had been due to "adverse tide and wind conditions affecting Manannan's motion alongside the berth in the River Mersey".

The decision to pause passengers disembarking was taken as safety was the "top priority".

Thanking passengers for "their patience and understanding", a spokesman for the Steam Packet said there would be a knock-on effect for the vessel's other sailings on Tuesday.

The firm was "endeavouring to have Manannan back on schedule as soon as possible", he added.