A pair of Royal Navy Merlin helicopters were two of the slightly more unusual visitors to Ronaldsway airport.

The two aircraft landed at the airport in Ballasalla for refuelling before taking off and heading away from the island in a north-westerly direction.

Former airport director Phil Pain said both bore the name HMS Queen Elizabeth, which is the UK’s new aircraft carrier, currently undergoing sea trials. The ship, the largest ever built for the Royal Navy, can carry up to 40 aircraft, and is due in service in 2020.