The long-established monthly magazine for church-goers in the Isle of Man - the Church Leader - is to cease publication.

The Leader has been a valued conveyor of church news and views for many years - but rising production costs have led to the Diocese pulling the plug, with immediate effect.

There i++s speculation church authorities have been angered by a recent article on the financial problems facing redundant churches in the Island - and this could have contributed to the paper's demise.

A headline suggested one in two churches could face closure.

But Archdeacon Brian Smith says a new publication will be produced in the autumn and production costs have been under review for some time: