Ferry routes between the Isle of Man and UK debated

The Isle of Man government is in talks with wind farm developers in an attempt to maintain ferry routes to the UK.

Energy company Centrica is planning a development about 12 miles off the Manx coast, outside Manx territorial waters.

It is thought the move could force changes which would result in longer sailing times and higher prices.

A government spokesman said infrastructure officials were "strongly arguing" for the current ferry routes to be maintained.

Routes between Douglas and Heysham and Liverpool are used by more than half a million passengers a year and provide freight services to and from the island.

Centrica was awarded wind farm development rights for the Irish Sea zone in January 2010.

It met shipping companies earlier this year and held a series of public consultations in February.