The Manx Transport Trust wants to restore government and privately owned vehicles and show them off to the public.

The museum would be able to house 25 historical vehicles, including trams and buses, which would be restored to working order.

Chairman Richard Davis said: 'Despite the success of the trams and trains, road transport has been sadly neglected and no real attempt has been made to capitalise on this asset.

'Many unique vehicles have been scrapped and those that remain are under threat.

'Government-owned Isle of Man Transport owns a collection of vintage buses and there are many others in private ownership.

'The biggest problem facing these vehicles is the lack of co-ordination as to their care and use, and a severe shortage of proper storage and maintenance facilities.'

He said some of the Isle of Man Transport vehicles required major restoration and had not been on public view for many years.

Mr Davis said that many privately owned vehicles 'continue to languish in barns and sheds and rarely see the light of day'.

The trust has applied (08/01746) to the government planning committee to change the use of a hangar on Jurby Industrial Estate for a museum with refreshment facilities.

If approved, the hangar, currently owned by the Department of Local Government and the Environment would be leased to the Department of Tourism and Leisure, which would then sub-lease it to the trust.

The trust has applied to become a registered charity and all its profits would go towards the care and restoration of the vehicles.

DTL director of service delivery Mike Ball said it would be a 'nice asset for the Island'.