No joy for Cavendish in Sheffield

Mark Cavendish was outside the top three in voting for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. 

Before the prestigious annual event, which was broadcast live from Sheffield, Chief Minister Tony Brown had urged everybody to get behind the 'Manx Missile' by supporting him in the telephone poll.

Cavendish - who enjoyed great success in 2009, including six stage wins in the Tour de France - rang today's Mannin Line to thank the Island for all its support in the past twelve months.

The odds quoted by bookmakers suggested he was around fifth favourite for the prize. In the end he finished fourth.

The award went to Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs, with Formula One world champion Jenson Button the runner up and world heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis third.