New regulations prohibiting people from flying drones near the Isle of Man Airport are now in force.

The restrictions, which also cover the Isle of Man Prison, were laid before Tynwald in December and came into force on New Year’s Day.

Deputy Director of Civil Aviation Collin Gill says: "There have been a number of high profile safety events outside the Isle of Man where drones have come into close proximity to airliners.

"The consequences of a drone colliding with an aircraft could be catastrophic.

"Whilst in the Isle of Man we have no reported incidents of any close encounters between an aircraft and a drone, it is essential to be proactive and to put in place reasonable and measured regulations to ensure the appropriate protection of aircraft and the general public."