The Manx Electricity Authority has announced it is to cease retail trading and close its five shops in Douglas, Ramsey, Castletown, Peel, and Port Erin.

The outlets have come in for criticism over the last few years.

In January South Douglas MHK Kate Beecroft called for them to be shut, describing them as a "loss-making operation being kept afloat".

For example, in the 2009/10 financial year they ran at a ?414,000 loss.

A statement from the MEA says all showrooms will continue trading in the short term, while alternative arrangements are made for customer services facilities.

It's thought Castletown and Peel's showrooms will shut by the end of next month, with the others closing by the end of September.

MEA Chairman Eddie Lowey MLC says redundancies are inevitable, but says they'll try and redeploy as many of the 24 staff affected as possible.