Storms force winds bring down many trees

The Isle of Man is licking its wounds this morning (Friday), after taking a battering for around six hours from some exceptionally strong winds last night.

Conditions have eased a little overnight, but emergency services and staff from the Department of Infrastructure were kept very busy yesterday evening, mainly clearing roads of fallen trees, roof slates and general debris.

The main road between Douglas and Peel was blocked for a time when a tree came down at Ballig Bridge, and the Manx Electricity Authority helped deal with a tricky situation, when another tree brought down power cables at Crosby Crossroads.

Incidents were spread mainly through the central and southern parts of the Island although, late last night, department spokesman Alan Hardinge told Edward Oldham things weren't as bad as originally expected (play extended audio file):