The RNLI has moved quickly to quell any anger directed at the Department of Economic Development over the charity’s use of the Isle of Man TT logo on merchandise.

An online petition was set up earlier today calling for people to ’boycott all TT merchandise if the DED charge the RNLI £250 to use the letters TT on fundraising badges’.

By 8.15pm the petition - found at https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/boycott-all-tt-merchandise-if-the-iom-ded-charge - had attracted 38 signatures.

However, shortly before 8pm the RNLI had released the following statement: ’The RNLI has been grateful to use the Isle of Man TT race logo on some of the charity’s pin badges for a number of years.

’The badges have been a valuable fundraiser for the charity - last year donations for the badges raised more than £5,000 for the RNLI.

’The RNLI approached the Isle of Man Government this year to agree the continued use of the Isle of Man TT logo on the charity’s badges and was happy to enter into an agreement to ensure this valuable fundraising stream for the charity could continue.’