Guidelines have been issued to Roman Catholic churches in the Isle of Man, to help try and prevent the spread of swine flu.

Bishop Tom Williams, from the Archdiocese of Liverpool, has special responsibility for health care, and explained the recommendations which have been passed down on Manx Radio's 'Praise' programme.

He said:

"It is advisable not to receive from the chalice at the moment and it is advisable not to shake hands as a sign of peace.

"Holy water stoups is the other one, where there could be an infection, but it's basically to say good advice is for people to wash their hands if it's in the area, [although] some areas it's not present yet.

"It does seems a nonsense sometimes though, when you say to people we shouldn't really give the sign of peace, and then as you stand at the back of the church they all shake hands before they leave."