Two more sailings have today been cancelled by the Steam Packet, as Storm Austen continues to affect the Isle of Man.

Friday afternoon’s 3pm Douglas sailing to Liverpool on the Manannan will no longer go ahead, which means the return journey at 7.15pm has also been cancelled.

Despite the cancellations, tonight’s Douglas sailing to Heysham at 7.30pm is no longer at risk and expected to go ahead as planned.

This means the 2am return journey back to the island will also go ahead.

The rest of Saturday (October 24) and Sunday’s (October 25) sailings to and from Heysham and Liverpool are all still at risk of disruption or cancellation.

The disruption is due to two storms threatening severe gales - Storms Austen and Boelo.

According to the Ronaldsway Met Office forecast, Friday will bring heavy rain during the morning before conditions brighten in the afternoon, with strong to gale-force northwesterly winds.

After a brighter start on Saturday, further rain is expected as southerly or southwesterly gales develop.

Conditions are forecast to deteriorate overnight into Sunday, when severe gales could produce gusts of up to 70mph.

The forecast warns of travel disruption and possible damage before winds gradually ease later on Sunday, which is otherwise expected to be mostly sunny.