One of the highlights of our Manx National day gets underway this afternoon.

The Cronk y Voddy Sports day starts at 2pm with the marquee just off the Cronk y Voddy Straight opening at 12.30 for hot and cold food and the best homemade cakes in the west.

In this year of the London Olympics there's a wide range of top class athletic action for all ages including a wheelbarrow race, skipping, musical sacks and no fewer than six separate classes in the egg and spoon event.

There's also a bike race for the Brian Quirk memorial shield and the All Island Tug of War Championship which is always a big pull.

The evergreen Open class dog racing is also taking place throughout the afternoon or until the dogs have lost interest and gone off to chase something else.

Proceeds from the day go to Rebecca House and the Friends of Robert Owen House.