It’s the end of an era after the Laxey blacksmith wielded his hammer for the last time.

Allan King had been forging, casting and shaping distinctive handcrafted metalwork at his traditional workshop for almost 27 years.

But sparks flew when the Manx government struck a hammer blow for the village smithy after notifying him that it had other plans for the building.

And earlier this month, the forge fire was lit for a final time.

As early retirement was not part of his long-term plan, Mr King has decided to take the opportunity to move away from blacksmithing and channel his skills and creativity into other pursuits.

He said: ’I will miss my customers, many of whom have become good friends over the years - one especially grateful Dutch customer even sent me a pair of genuine size 12 wooden clogs as a thank you!’

The Laxey Blacksmith company has been based in the goods yard at the side of the village’s tram station since 1993.

But in February this year Mr King received a letter from his landlord, the Department of Infrastructure, giving him notice to quit the premises.

Director of public estates and housing Deborah Reeve told him in the letter: ’The department requires the smithy premises for staff of the Manx Electric Railway.’

He was originally required to vacate the building by May 12 but was then given an extension to November 12 as a ’gesture of goodwill’.

The DoI said the premises are needed for MER engineering staff and will in turn allow a small transport museum to be opened by volunteers.