Unusually low spring tides allowed thousands of people the rare chance to take a walk out to the Tower of Refuge.

More than 3,000 people braved the inclement weather and turned out for a stroll out over the slippery causeway and onto the iconic Conister Rock, raising money for the Douglas RNLI along the way.

The walk usually takes place around Easter time, when the tides are seasonally low enough to allow the causeway to be visible for long enough. However, the unusually low spring tides allowed Douglas Corporation to organise an end-of-summer walk.

There was an added carnival feel to the event, with a free fairground, live music, games and a sandcastle building competition at the start on Harris promenade, which offered a top prize of £50.

Douglas town centre manager Oliver Cheshire said: ’Holding the event on a Sunday really drew the crowds, not only for the walk itself but also for all the free rides and live entertainment.

’We’re very grateful to Tower Insurance for their continued sponsorship, to all those who served as marshals and, of course, to Kev Scott and his fellow Douglas Coastguard crew members, without whom we wouldn’t be able to stage the event.

’RNLI volunteers do tremendous work, not just saving lives but educating, too, so we’re pleased that all donations from the Tower of Refuge walk have gone to such a deserving cause.’

The walk was sponsored for the seventh year in succession by Tower Insurance, who were also celebrating their 90th anniversary.

Tower Insurance managing director Emmet McQuillan said: ’Tower Insurance are proud to be supporting this event where people can take this rare opportunity to visit the Tower of Refuge, one of the island’s famous landmarks.

’The RNLI have been chosen by our staff as their charity of the year. Money raised today and from other events to celebrate our 90th anniversary will be used to support the lifesaving work of this very worthy charity.’

There was also a final public appearance of the Douglas Lifeboat, RNLB Sir William Hilary, whose crew stood on station out in Douglas bay at the end of the lifeboat’s farewell tour of the island.

The long-serving vessel has been replaced by the Mersey Class lifeboat, Marine Engineer, and waved goodbye to the island with a visit to each of the island’s lifeboats stations on Sunday.