Christmas tractors to set off on annual island-wide charity drive

The tractors are set to travel around the island in a convoy decorated with Christmas lights

Tractors adorned in Christmas lights and decorations are to take to the Isle of Man's roads for an annual charity fundraiser.

The island's Young Farmers Christmas Tractor Run starts at 18:30 GMT on a route around the south of the island from Port Erin to Douglas.

On Saturday the convoy will travel from Peel to Douglas via Ramsey from 17:40.

Fifty tractors are set to take part in the first leg, with 75 joining the second night of the parade.

The Isle of Man Young Farmers Federation has encouraged people to arrive "in good time" at their vantage points for the parade to make sure they can "find the ultimate spot to wave us past".

People will be able to track where the tractors are on their journey on both nights using the Isle of Man Transport website.

There are due to be 75 tractors involved in the cavalcade from Peel to Douglas

In the south of the island, the tractors will gather at Port Erin breakwater from 16:30.

After setting off two hours later, the vehicles will pass through Ballabeg and Castletown, before heading to Foxdale and on to St John's, finishing at the Grandstand in Douglas at about 21:15.

Saturday's event will see the agricultural machinery gather on Marine Parade on Peel Promenade from 16:00.

At 17:40 the procession is set to head first to Kirk Michael, then Sulby, before arriving in Ramsey town centre at about 19:00, where it will pause for 40 minutes to allow crowds to see the displays.

The cavalcade will then set off on its final stretch to Douglas, travelling through Laxey and Onchan, again finishing at the Grandstand at about 21:15.

The annual fundraiser will this year support two charities - Craig's Heartstrong Foundation and Hospice Isle of Man - with organisers setting a target of raising £10,000.

The 2022 event generated £18,500 for local causes, significantly exceeding the initial target of £3,000.

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