Gales lead to cancellation of all Saturday ferries

Sailings of the Manxman and Manannan on Saturday have been scrapped

All of Saturday's ferry sailings between the Isle of Man and the north-west of England have been cancelled due to severe gales due to be brought by Storm Amy.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company said trips between the Douglas and Liverpool and Lancashire had been scrapped due to the incoming conditions.

Ronaldsway Met Office issued a yellow weather warning from 14:00 BST on Friday until 18:00 on Saturday, with gusts of up to 65mph (105km/h) due to hit the island.

Forecasters have also warned of potential minor structural damage to properties, and likely on-island travel disruption through fallen trees or flooding caused by heavy rain.

As a result of the forecast conditions, Friday's sailings to and from Liverpool by the fast craft Manannan were pulled forward by several hours to avoid the worst of the incoming weather.

Although the morning's sailing of the Manxman to Heysham Port was due to go ahead, its planned afternoon return and all subsequent sailings have been cancelled until the early hours of Sunday.

However, the government-owned ferry operator said that 01:45 BST sailing also remained in doubt, with a decision due to be made on Saturday evening.