Diabetes Isle of Man is encouraging businesses to ’go blue’ [the international colour for diabetes] for World Diabetes Day this weekend.

The charity’s development manager, Natasha Parry, said: ’Diabetes affects around 6% of the island’s population, and that is set to increase.

’We want as many people, businesses and organisations to join in with the rest of the world on Saturday, November 14, and raise awareness of the condition.

’If your company logo can go blue for the day, or if you can hold a "dress blue day" in your place of work on Friday in aid of the charity, please get involved.’

Diabetes Isle of Man will be fundraising throughout the day in the Victoria Road Shoprite, and will have donation buckets in all of the Shoprite stores.

The charity has held a competition for children to name their two new mascots, superhero characters who have diabetes.