Isle of Man election 2016: Church leaders' plea to 'protect vulnerable'

The 24 elected MHKs will serve alongside the Island's bishop in Tynwald.

Church leaders have encouraged people to back candidates who will "protect the vulnerable" when they vote in the forthcoming general election.

Leaders from a variety of religious branches, including the Bishop of Sodor and Mann, have come together to ask residents to use their votes next week.

In a statement they ask the people of the island to "exercise their freedom to vote".

The Isle of Man general election will be held on 22 September.

Tynwald is derived from the Old Norse Thing-völlr, meaning assembly field

The statement asks people to seek candidates with "generosity of spirit, breadth of vision and gifts of leadership who will identify deprivation, support the needy and marginalised wherever they may be, value all human life, maintain ethical standards in investment and care for the environment".

The letter was signed by Bishop Robert Paterson as well as representatives from all the island's churches.

The 24 Members of the House of Keys (MHKs) will serve alongside the bishop in Tynwald.

More than 60 candidates will contest the 24 seats up for grabs in the House of Keys with residents as young as 16 eligible to vote.