A specialist firm is to remove asbestos from some of the island’s out-of-use steam engines.

The engines, which include no.9 ’Douglas’ that was built in 1896 and no.5 Mona from 1874, will see the material removed under controlled conditions. They have not been seen outdoors for some time and people are advised against going to see them for safety reasons.

An Isle of Man Transport spokesman said: ’A number of steam locomotives which contain asbestos have been stored for the past 10 years. While the railways remain closed, engineers are using the opportunity to remove asbestos under controlled conditions, in line with health and safety legislation.’