Part of Port Erin beach is currently closed below the high water mark due to a pollution incident, says the coastguard.

The village is hosting the Beach and Sea Festival and this is continuing.

In an update Port Erin coastguard say Port Erin Commissioners have decided that the beach above the high water mark is to remain open, but the the beach seaward side is to remain closed due to a light covering of fuel on the sand and the waterline.

'We have deployed our absorbent boom aross the water line and dredged the length of the beach to minimalise the spread of the fuel.’Commissioners say the Festival of the Sea is not affected by the Port Erin beach closure.Two Douglas coastguard Officers were tasked to assist colleagues from Port Erin CoastguardsIsle of Man Coastguard issued the following statement this afternoon. (Sunday):'Port Erin beach is currently closed below the High Water following a pollution incident involving what we believe to be diesel.'Local Harbours staff were alerted this morning by Port Erin Commissioners after they received notification of the pollution and they, together with Port Erin Coastguard team attended the area to assess the situation.'After an initial clean up along the High Water line by Harbour keepers, staff from the Commisioners and team members from Port Erin Coastguard the lower part of the beach was assessed.'The lower part of the beach is affected by widespread areas of a light film of diesel. There are also areas of a light film of diesel on the sea surface in the bay, close inshore to the beach.'Due to the widespread light covering of the lower part of the beach authority was given by the Commissioners to close that area of the beach on the grounds of public safety. Coastguard assisted by placing out signs along the High Water line.'As the film of diesel is so fine it is evaporating quickly. The beach conditions will be monitored over the next couple of tides and the closure will be lifted as soon as possible.'We would urge members of the public to adhere to the signage and avoid the lower part of the beach whilst the signs are in place. The upper part of the beach, above the signs, remains open for everyone to enjoy. The Festival of the Sea is also unaffected.