There could have been a few chilly homes in the Isle of Man yesterday as those waiting for central heating fuel had to go without.

The adverse conditions led police to warn all motorists to make only the most essential journeys and, with their dangerous loads, no tankers left the depots.

The cold spell of weather has seen demand for all utilities increase, with the highest ever peak-time demand for electrictiy in the Island recorded earlier this week.

Both Total Isle of Man and Manx Petroleums say they are now making every effort to catch up with deliveries, but sales and marketing manager for the latter company, David Kay, says safety is the primary concern: