A householder ruptured a gas main in Port Erin today while he was digging his garden.

It meant the houses in his immediate neighbourhood had to be evacuated.

Just after noon the fire service and police were called to Magherrosien.

Crews were able to reduce the flow of the leak of the gas main before the arrival of engineers from Manx Gas.

Crews stayed there for more than 90 minutes until Manx Gas had stopped the leak, at which time the safety cordon was removed and all displaced residents were able to return to their homes.

A fire service spokesman said: ’Before you start to excavate anywhere in the Isle of Man, make sure you ring Manx Gas.’