Manx residents now have less than a month to tell regulators which ITV region the Island should receive after the merger of Border and Tyne Tees.

The Isle of Man's communications commission has said it needs to receive written opinions on the matter by November 21 so that it may submit a response to an Ofcom request for details about the Island's preferred ITV regional news service on terrestrial television. Residents must choose between receiving the merged ITV Border and Tyne Tees service or ITV Granada.

In a statement, Ofcom said: "On the face of it, it makes sense for the transmitters to stay with Border on the grounds that the Isle of Man would get more air time if it stays with Border rather than the more urban population of Granada, but Ofcom is aware that transport and other links from the IOM tend to be with the North West so we welcome views from the Island on this point."