The Manx government called off the annual motorcycling event on Tuesday because of the foot-and-mouth disease threat to the island.

The cancellation will be a massive blow to thousands of Northern Ireland race enthusiasts.

They annually make the pilgramage to the motor cycling mecca, boosting the island's tourist trade.

The Manx chief minister Donald Gelling made the expected announcement following a sitting of the Tynwald parliament.

Other social events surrounding the TT will go ahead as planned on the first week in June.

Millions lost

But the split decision by Tynwald members is still likely to cost the island �7m in lost revenue.

Many of Northern Ireland's road racers made the trip across to navigate 37.75 miles of bumpy and often dangerous country lanes and mountain roads.

Of course, the record number of TT wins was held by the late Joey Dunlop with 26 victories.

Dunlop's presence at the event had always ensured that a bumper following travelled over from the province.

It is the first time that the TT extravaganza has been cancelled in peacetime.

Feared

Farmers feared that the 40,000 spectators who walk around the 37-mile circuit would bring the disease from the mainland.

The Isle of Man has over 250,000 livestock, including famous Loaghtan sheep.

It is hoped that the decision to cancel the event will keep the island free of the epidemic as it was in 1967.

The week-long TT event, which started in 1907, has earned the Isle of Man the title of "racing capital of the world".

Only war has previously caused the cancellation of the event, although it was postponed in 1966 during a national seamen's strike.

Chief Minister Gelling said the decision to cancel the annual TT races had been inevitable.

"We set out our stall and knew when we had to make the decision," said Gelling

"But is certainly not one which was made on emotion.

All losers

"It has been made on a well-constructed strategy and I think the threat of foot-and-mouth coming to the island, where we have not seen it since 1886, was just too big.

"I think that really was the crunch at the end of the day.

"There are no winners or losers. We are all losers because we all love the TT.

"But our races are run in the countryside - we have got 37 miles out amongst the farming people.

"It was about people making contact with animals which was the danger."