THE last ever Manx Wildlife Trust Marine Day at the Port Erin Marine Laboratory will be held on Saturday.
The free event, which runs from 11am to 5pm, will feature touch tanks with live animals, and talks and demonstrations.
Laboratory director Professor Trevor Norton will give illustrated talks at 1pm and 3pm and there will be slide show talks by Mau
ra Mitchell at noon, 2pm and 4pm.
There will also be a plankton demonstration, marine hoopla, marine skittles, a colouring competition for children and a marine fancy dress competition at 3pm as well as stalls.
Just last month it was revealed an indoor sports centre could replace the laboratory.
Last year Liverpool University, which runs the facility, was unsuccessful in its bid to secure a £2 million rescue package, plus funding of £0.5m a year from the government.
When the university pulls out in September 2006 the government will own the building.
Chief Minister Donald Gelling has said a Council of Ministers subcommittee is considering a local sporting organisation's proposal about building and managing an indoor sports centre on the site.
However, the library wing could house a small marine facility and it could be built into a fully functioning marine centre in two or three years.
Mr Gelling said: 'It is important for fisheries research work to be maintained at Port Erin, but in order to make the facility a viable long-term concern, additional tourism and educational activity should form part of the facility.'
Later this month the MWT is holding tidepool events which promise to be fun and educational.
The free sessions take place at Castletown's Scarlett visitor centre, on Friday, August 19, from 5pm to 7.30pm, Derbyhaven bay, on Sunday, August 21 from 8am to 10am, Niarbyl beach, on Monday, August 22 from 8am to 10.30am, Fenella beach, Peel, from Tuesday, August 23 from 9am to 11am, and Gob ny Rona beach, near Ramsey, on Wednesday, August 24 from 9am to 11am.
The guides will be marine biologists from the MWT and the laboratory.
Nets, trays and identification charts will be provided and people are being told that sensible footwear is essential.
For information, ring the trust on 801985.
