Boat trips to Island called off

A company which runs cruises from the UK to the Isle of Man says it's had to cancel trips next week.

White Funnel says the MV Balmoral's sailings from Llandudno, Menai Bridge and Whitehaven as well as local Isle of Man cruises next week are all cancelled.

The company says the Maritime & Coastguard Agency has banned it from bringing passengers from the UK to the Island.

It adds its UK sailings are unaffected.

White star says it's bitterly disappointed having to cancel at such a late stage after spending money marketing its Isle of Man sailings.

In a post on Facebook, the company says it's had specific authority from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency to run the trips over the past two years.

It hasn't revealed why the MCA appears to have had a change of heart.

The company says anybody who's booked onto one of its Isle of Man cruises can contact it on 0117 325 6200, but says its phone lines are likely to be very busy.