There's concern among people planning to travel with the Steam Packet this weekend, after the Ben-my-Chree was pushed onto a structure in Heysham harbour at lunchtime today (Friday).

The hull was punctured, creating what the company calls 'a small hole' about four metres above the waterline.

Temporary repairs are being carried out, and it's hoped normal services will resume with a sailing from Heysham at 1.45am tomorrow.

Vikings Ladies' hockey team are due to travel on the Ben-my-Chree to Birkenhead at 7am tomorrow, ahead of their English Trophy second round tie in Preston on Sunday.

With gales forecast for the next several days, captain Kim Carney says today's news from Heysham has provided an additional worry: