TOURISTS may know the Isle of Man for its beautiful countryside and motorcycle road racing but it may inadvertently become known for something else - its pants.

And strangely the pants in question have nothing to do with the Island and can't even be bought here.

Body-shaping underwear for men known as 'The Manx' has been launched by George at ASDA and are a male equivalent to the Spanx underwear for women.

The Manx, also known as the Bodysculpt Trunk, has attracted considerable media attention.

Men's essentials buying manager for ASDA Heather Moreton explained: "The success of the George Moob Tube opened British men's eyes to the world of body-shaping underwear which had already captured the hearts, bums and tums of men in the US.

"We know some guys worry about muffin tops and unmanageable body wobbles just as much as women so why not offer them a little helping hand to look their best too?

"We're delighted to answer the demand and give our shoppers what they want; the Manx will help men look and feel great - keep a look out ladies!"

While ASDA - which does not have a store in the Island - is not linking the pants directly with the Isle of Man, the connection has been picked up elsewhere.

Comedian Jimmy Carr posted on his Twitter page: "You can now get Spanx for men. They're called Manx. What do they do? Make you look like you haven't got a tail."

As far as isleofman.com is aware they do not come in a three-legged design.

Joking aside there is good news for Manx men who want to wear The Manx - they can be bought online for just £10.