A further eight Steam Packet sailings have been cancelled this weekend as a result of Storms Austen and Boelo.

Six sailings to and from Larne, Heysham and Liverpool were already cancelled on Friday as a result of the weather, with a further eight across the weekend now suffering the same fate.

The 10am sailing to Liverpool on the Manannan tomorrow (Saturday, October 24) has now been cancelled, which means the return journey at 7.15pm will also not go ahead.

Despite the poor weather on Saturday, the Ben-My-Chree sailing to Heysham will now depart at the slightly earlier time of 7.30am, while the return journey will leave Lancashire at 12.30pm.

The later Douglas to Heysham sailing has been cancelled, as well as the return overnight.

Going into Sunday, the four sailings to and from Liverpool and Heysham have all been cancelled, with the next sailing scheduled to go as usual being the 7.30pm journey from Douglas to Heysham on the Ben-My-Chree.

According to the Ronaldsway Met Office forecast, 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.