JQuery Cycle display issue in IE - first page load only

JQuery Cycle display issue in IE - first page load only

I have an issue with JQuery Cycle plugin that only appears in IE (version 8, but probably also others), and only appears the first time the page is loaded. Clearing the cache, clearing cookies, etc, does not allow the problem to be reproduced a second time.

The problem can be seen at [redacted]

On first page load, the slideshow briefly flashes what look like 'broken image' icons, before loading images properly. The images then start to cycle, but with a small square appearing at top left corner, and the transition from slide to slide apparently being erratic, and going to blank slides.

Any ideas is this is a bug in my code, or a bug in IE and/or a way to fix it?

The code involved is not complex.

JQuery:
  1. $(document).ready(function() {
     //Big home slides
     $('.slideshow').cycle({
     fx: 'fade',
     timeout: 4000,
     speed: 4000,
     height:'500px'
     });
Slideshow:

  1. <div class="slideshow">
          <span>
     <img src="/img/home-slides/bunnycrunch.jpg"/>
          </span>
     <span>
                <img src="/img/home-slides/crunch-spring.jpg"/>
            </span>
     <span>
           <img src="/img/home-slides/cooki-bouquet.jpg"/>
          </span>
     <span>
           <img src="/img/home-slides/bunnyonnastick.jpg"/>
          </span>
    </div>