The island took a battering from gale force winds.

Police and highways teams yesterday (Saturday) dealt with a total of 39 fallen trees and debris on the island’s roads.

As Storm Deirdre picked up in the afternoon, motorists were urged by the police to avoid all non-essential journeys.

Sergeant Gary Heaton said: ’I think the island may need to plant a few more trees.

’This evening and into the early hours of Sunday, police officers along with colleagues from the DoI dealt with a staggering 39 instances where they had to deal with fallen trees and debris.

’That’s a lot of chainsaw petrol and a lot of cold cops and DoI staff!’

The road will be closed from Croit-e-Caley to its junction with Shore Road at Gansey until 4.30pm today due to a tree blocking the road.

Police and the DoI were called to fallen trees at a number of locations including the New Castletown Road at Fairy Bridge,

St Mark’s Road, Braaid Road, Mount Murray Back Road and Glen Mona loop road.

A fallen tree at Ballacraine brought down power lines.

Douglas promenade between the war memorial and Bottleneck car park was closed all afternoon and overnight due to the high tide and wind.

Douglas Coastguard were called to help harbour staff move boats in the marina that were in danger of causing damage due to the high winds.

Yesterday’s Steam Packet sailings were cancelled.

The northern civic amenity site closed early.

A number of sporting fixtures were called off.

The wind has dropped today.

The Met Office says moderate or fresh south-west winds will become a little lighter.

It will be mostly dry this morning with some brightness but clouding over to give outbreaks of rain this afternoon and evening.