This weekend will see the return of one the most popular events of the year.

The Tower of Refuge of walk will be staged on Sunday.

The day’s events begin at 12pm with free funfair rides, live bands and a craft marker on Loch Promenade, Douglas.

There will also be a chance to show off with the sand castle building competition on the beach.

Oliver Cheshire of Douglas Town Management said: ’If previous years are anything to go by, we’re expecting 3000 people or more to take part.

’To mark this there will be live bands performing from a stage on Harris Promenade, free fairground rides and games, and a sandcastle-building competition on the beach with four £50 prizes up for grabs.

’All the entertainment will be free but donations to the RNLI would be very welcome.

’We’re also really grateful to Andy Cunningham and his fellow Douglas Coastguard crew members for all their tremendous support in the run-up to the walk and on the day, which, as it’s a Sunday this year, should make for a great family afternoon out.’

The event is slightly later this year as tidal forecasting showed this Sunday to be the optimal day to safely access Conister Rock for the maximum possible time.

The walk to Conister Rock itself will begin about 6pm and has reverted to using the steps on Loch Promenade, which have been used in previous years.

The annual walk is now in its seventh year.

Richard Hulme, development manager at Tower Insurance, said: ’This is a great event and one Tower Insurance are pleased to continue to support.

’We will be working with Oliver and his team to hopefully make this year’s event a memorable one as 2018 is our 90th anniversary and the weekend date will open it to all the family.’