Date is set for island's census

It is a statutory requirement for people to comply with the census

A census of the Isle of Man is to take place on Sunday 23 April.

The government said every household on the island should have received an advance information leaflet and that delivery of the forms had started.

The leaflets explain why the survey is being held and what to do if someone is off the island on census night.

It is expected the interim census will reveal that the Isle of Man's population has risen by about 2,000 in the past five years.

Latest estimates say the island's population stands at about 78,000 following a steady increase in recent years.

The data will provide information used by the government for planning services such as health and education.

The government said there was a legal requirement to complete the form.

All the information provided is treated in strict confidence, and names and addresses are not entered into the census database.