More bikes than ever here for FoM

But visitor numbers fall slightly

The Steam Packet says this year's Festival of Motorcycling was a record-breaking one for visiting bike numbers.

Almost four and a quarter thousand motorcycles were ferried to and from the Island during the 2017 fortnight - up 5.6% on last year.

But it came alongside a slight drop in the number of individual passengers, with just short of 29,000 taking the boat.

Bosses claim that's down to the rescheduling of the Manx 2 Day Trial in July.

Car, van and trailer numbers also fell.

Steam Packet CEO Mark Woodward called the overall figures 'very encouraging', adding that he anticipates the Festival to grow further in coming years.