The little fairy houses have been enchanting island residents and making headlines around the world.

But the miniature homes are in danger of becoming roofless tholtans just weeks after they were first unveiled - as they are proving no match for the Manx weather.

More than £26,000 was spent on the four fairy houses as part of a viral ’ambush marketing’ campaign by the Department for Enterprise.

They were created by Swedish art collective Anonymouse MMX and installed at some of the island’s best-loved beauty spots including Ballaglass and Dhoon glens.

Families have enjoyed looking for the Little People’s homes since they first appeared at the beginning of November.

But as these pictures show, the miniature castle constructed on Bradda Head is losing the battle against the elements.

Sections of its metal-effect roof have been torn off in the gales, leaving the wood exposed beneath.

Its railings have been left twisted and broken.

The castle is likely to have fallen victim to Storm Deirdre when storm force winds gusting up to 80mph brought down trees and power lines around the island on December 15.

Defending the £26,253 cost of the project, Enterprise Minister Laurence Skelly told the House of Keys last month: ’The estimated number of people who have read the press articles is in excess of six and a half million.

’Should the department have paid for such media coverage, it is estimated it would have cost £367,570; therefore the return of investment is 14 times the cost of this initiative.’