Chapel Beach in Port St Mary has been closed due to oil contamination, according to the commissioners.

Port St Mary Commissioners took to social media to warn people of the closure.

The Department of Infrastructure said: ‘The Harbours division received reports of pollution described as weathered and emulsified oil which had been driven by the prevailing wind on to Chapel Beach. This was followed by reports from Gansey Beach of similar deposits.

‘Samples have been taken and the analysis will establish if it’s residue from the spill reported some weeks ago off the NW coast of England or naturally-occurring algae. The affected areas have been closed off.’

Michelle Haywood, MHK for Rushen, also posted online.

She said: ‘An oily foam is washing ashore on Chapel Beach.

‘DoI Harbours have been down to clear as much as possible using bacterial dispersant sprays and oil absorbing mats.

‘The beach will be closed for the next few days to allow the oil to be cleared up and for the wind to change direction and stop blowing more oil onto the beach.’