High winds blow away football fixtures

The weather is causing problems around the Island today, with sporting fixtures taking a major blow.

Around 11.30 this morning it was announced that ALL football matches were being postponed by the IOM Football Association as Tim Glover told listeners on Manx Radio.

All Hockey games at Castle Rushen have also been cancelled today due to the high winds blowing goals around.

Workers from the Department of Infrastructure and police have been kept busy with trees blocking routes in Foxdale and Barregarrow earlier this morning.

Some areas of the Island are being warned of possible minor flooding later today.

Heavy rain and gale or severe gales are expected until later this afternoon.

The government's floodwatch site warns of possible problems in Douglas, Laxey, Castletown, Port St Mary and Carrick Bay.

It suggests there could be flooding inland where drains are blocked, whilst tonight's high tide around 9.30pm accompanied by relatively high seas could see waves breaking onto exposed roads and seafronts, possibly washing small amounts of debris ashore.

Meanwhile, the high winds mean the Northern Civic Amenity site has closed this morning.

Winds are expected to die down later this afternoon and into the evening