Trio banned for riding on land dubbed out of bounds

Three off-road motorcyclists have been banned from competitive sports after being caught on restricted land.

Police caught the trio riding on open hill land at Cross Vein near the Rushen Mines on April 12th - it followed a report from a shepherd that they were on the 'sensitive land'. 

The land is an area of registered heath which is frequented by breeding hen harriers and curlews - both species of high conservation concern. 

The riders - who are all involved in competitive motorcycling - were handed police cautions for committing an offence under the Road Traffic Act and were sanctioned by the Auto Cycle Union.

As a result they're suspended from participating in any two-wheeled events endorsed by the ACU - both on the Island and in the UK - until their bans expire.