Two huge military planes were seen flying circuits over the south of the island.

The RAF Airbus A400M Atlas planes were first seen at about 5.30pm on Monday.

Tim Cullen managed to photograph one of the propellor-driven planes from his home at Derbyhaven close to the airport and said it circled several times and at one stage got as low as 100ft.

He said: ’It certainly made a difference to a quiet day in Derbyhaven.’

RAF Brize Norton said Monday’s flights over the Isle of Man, Belfast and Prestwick were ’essential training’ and ’not connected with RAF support to the UK’s fight against coronavirus’.

The transporter can accommodate as many as 116 fully-equipped troops, vehicles, helicopters, including a Chinook.