A new fire hub in the south of the Island has opened its doors.

Port Erin fire station has been transferred to the previous Southern Ambulance station.

Chief Fire Officer Kevin Groom says: "I would like to thank a number of people for helping deliver this project.

"It has been a number of years in the making, but we have now delivered this modern fire station for the community of Rushen and the Isle of Man.

"The previous fire station in Port Erin has served us very well and we will remember it fondly.

"However time has moved on and we need these facilities to ensure we continue to operate a first rate service and provide adequate facilities for our firefighters."

Home Affairs Minister Bill Malarkey says: "One of our objectives in the Programme for Government was to continue to support the work of the emergency services.

"We have delivered a new combined fire and ambulance station in Castletown and Malew, and now we open this new facility here in Rushen.

"This has been a very successful project and I would like to thank all of those who delivered it."