A Christmas message for isleofman.com readers from Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK.

"2012 will be one of the most challenging years yet for the international community and the Isle of Man.

"All the economic news is pointing to a further slowdown in Europe and beyond, and the Island cannot be immune from that. We also have to watch carefully for the fall-out from relations between the UK and the EU.

"Keeping the economy going must remain the priority for the Island, so that we can restrain unemployment as much as possible and generate the revenues that will help with budget rebalancing.

"At the same time we still have to protect the vulnerable and recognise that people are struggling with changed financial circumstances.

"The new government that is now settling in is facing some hard decisions.

"However, if the Island is able to pull together in these difficult times as it has done in the past, I believe we can rise to the challenge of the year ahead."