Ferry services sail to four ports in the UK and Ireland

The Steam Packet Company was sold to financial services group Macquarie Bank Limited, it emerged on Wednesday.

Managing director Hamish Ross said the ferry firm "fully understands and appreciates the importance of their services to the Island and its people".

Ships sail between the island and Liverpool, Heysham, Dublin and Belfast.

The company, which has been operating for 175 years, said in a statement the �225 million sale included all vessels, buildings, land holdings and assets.

Mr Ross described the Australian Bank as a "responsible, committed, long term investor with a track record in successfully managing essential service infrastructure businesses".

He added there would be little change evident in the way "we do business with you".