THE directors of a company that offer ghost walks around the Isle of Man have said the cancellation of this year's rally has nothing to do with them.

Alan Shaw and Barry Quilliam from Isle of Man Ghost Tours have said they would like to make it "very clear" that they were in no way involved in the decision.

On Thursday it was announced that Rally Isle of Man, which was due to take place between October 27 and October 29, would no longer be going ahead.

Rally organisers blamed a "series of major blows" for the decision including a date change, travel difficulties and the ability to run the spectator stage in Castletown.

The directors of Isle of Man Ghost Tours say it has been inaccurately reported in some media outlets that the cancellation of the rally was due to a ghost walk taking place in Castletown.

In a statement they said: "As you will probably know the Isle of Man Rally has been cancelled. This is due to many factors.

"One objector was Manx National Heritage. They have organised a ghost train special taking people to Castletown for the Quartet of Horrors inside Castle Rushen on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 of October.

"Some media sections have been reporting that it is 'because of a ghost walk'. Mark Higgins (rally driver) commented that there must be more to Castletown than ghost walks.

"Isle of Man Ghost Tours would like to make this very clear. The event was being organised by Manx National Heritage and Isle of Man Railways. It has nothing to with Isle of Man Ghost Tours.

"Isle of Man Ghost Tours are very pro-sporting events. We have, many times, cancelled the Castletown Ghost Walk because of the stage taking place around Castletown. Barry, director of Isle of Man Ghost Tours, will be found at most motor sport events marshalling. 

"We refuse to let some ill advised remark damage all the work we have done over the years by making off the cuff comments with such possibly damaging results."

Also see: "Desperately disappointing" say organisers after Rally Isle of Man is cancelled