Four sisters met in the island after travelling from as far afield as Australia so they could be all together - for the first time since 1963.

Pam Fee, who has lived in the island since 1982, hosted her three sisters in her Ramsey home for a week in July.

Nikki Knight, who hasn’t left Australia since she movedthere about 50 years ago, travelled from Cairns. And Pat Johnson, who moved to Australia about 40 years ago, travelled from Brisbane. The eldest sister, Val Alliez, lives in London.

The women, who range in age from 67 to 78, visited many of the island’s sights and enjoyed a ’Christmas’ celebration - complete with crackers and a tree - the first they have shared together since 1962.

Pam, who is the second eldest, said their Christmas Day was a big success: ’Turkey and roast beef and my sisters and my family. Fourteen of us round the table, crackers pulled and such fun and laughter.’

The visitors had the full tourist experience, taking a tram to the top of Snaefell, learning about the island’s history at the House of Manannan and Cregneash and enjoying the views from the Sound.

Pam said: ’My sisters were most impressed with the island, especially Nikki who had never been here before. The weather was good and they didn’t get frost bite.’

She described the reunion as an ’amazing experience, planned about a year ago, but wondered if it would actually happen’.

’Memories of the past, growing up together, and how all our lives had panned out.

’Then making memories for the future to add to the joy and fun. What is most evident is neither time nor distance can change the fact that we are sisters.’