Coastguards were called out after a walker found a canister on fire at the Point of Ayre.

Officers from Ramsey identified it as being phosphorous and disposed of it safely.

A search was carried out of the coastline from Rue Point to the Point of Ayre and two more canisters were found, which were dealt with in the same way.

Such canisters wash up on Manx beaches from time to time and the advice to members of the public is to stay well clear, leave them where they are and call the Coastguard on 999.

The canisters should not be moved and nor should any attempt be made to extinguish them if they are on fire.

The call out was yesterday morning.