Members of the public are being urged to attend meetings to discuss how to combat flood damage.

Placing sea defences in vulnerable areas affected by last January's storms and high tides will cost more than ?30million. The public can view and comment on schemes that are tailored to each community.

The first meeting takes place tomorrow (Thursday) at 11am at The Institute in Laxey, followed by a meeting tomorrow evening at 7.30pm in St Mary's Church, Castletown, and meetings on Friday at 1.30pm at Port St Mary town hall and at 6pm at Ramsey Grammar School. Flood management specialists employed by the DOI will return to the island to host further meetings in other areas.

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne said: 'The meetings on Thursday and Friday are an opportunity for local communities to play a leading role in the decision-making process. We are looking at options that will protect vulnerable towns and ports from the impacts of climate change for the next 100 years, but it is up to the people living in these areas to make their feelings known.'

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