An American businessman has drawn the fury of residents of the Isle of Man by declaring himself king of the island with honours being offered to anyone willing to shell out thousands of pounds.

Businessman David Drew Howe, 38, claims to be a cousin to the Queen and a direct descendant of the Stanley family.

He crowned himself "undisputed" His Majesty King David of the Isle of Man, after placing a notice in the London Gazette.

When the notice went unchallenged he declared himself "de jure" King of the Isle of Man at the end of March this year.

Now a West Sussex based company, Noble Titles, is offering peerages in the name of King David - promising the money paid will go to charity.