Solway Harvester inquest delayed

The Solway Harvester sank off the Isle of Man in 2000

An inquest into the deaths of seven Scottish fishermen who drowned when their boat, the Solway Harvester, sank off the Isle of Man has been delayed.

The five-day inquest into the tragedy, which happened nearly seven years ago, was due to begin next week but will now be opened and adjourned on Monday.

The trawler went down in stormy seas off the Manx coast in January 2000.

The fisherman who died in the storm all came from the village of the Isle of Whithorn, in Dumfries and Galloway.

Last year, the manslaughter trial of Solway Harvester owner Richard Gidney collapsed when a court found he had no case to answer.

Coroner Michael Moyle is expected to make a short statement outlining the reasons why the hearing has been postponed before he formally adjourns it at the Isle of Man Courts of Justice.

It is believed that the late unavailability of a vital witness is the reason for the postponement.

John Milligan, the father of 26-year-old victim Martin, said he was "very disappointed" at the delay.