Potentially stormy weather in the waters off the south west of England has delayed the scheduled arrival of the Steam Packet's new fast craft.

Manannan was due to leave Portsmouth tomorrow and enter Douglas Harbour for the first time at 10am on Saturday.

However, the Steam Packet has changed its plans, and the vessel is now expected around midday on Monday.

Steam Packet chief executive Mark Woodward says it was planned to take advantage of the long journey and do some specialist equipment testing and calibration work.

However, that needs to be done in relatively calm conditions, and waves four to five metres high are forecast during the next couple of days.

The vessel's in-service date of May 22 won't be affected by the delay.