Manx Transport Trust received the keys to the museum, a hangar at Jurby airfield, last month after signing a 20-year lease from the Department of Tourism and Leisure.

But the museum is not expected to be open to the public until next Easter because the hangar, formerly used as a coal depot, needs to be cleaned and painted.

The museum will mainly feature public road transport vehicles.

Exhibits will include government and privately-owned vehicles, including 25 buses and two steam wagons, one of which was owned by Laxey Flour Mills.

It will also house the last remaining Upper Douglas cable tram car, dating from 1896.

Trust chairman Richard Davis said: 'Many of the vehicles are currently under restoration or stored awaiting attention though there will be some fully restored exhibits on display from the outset.

'Visitors to the museum, which will be staffed by volunteers, will be able to see restoration in progress in an area set aside for this purpose.'

He added: 'The trust believes that the museum will be a welcome and much needed addition to tourism and leisure facilities in the Island.'

For further information about the museum contact Richard Davis on 490093.