A viewing platform with upgraded wheelchair access will be installed in Bradda Glen in Port Erin.

Manx Lottery Trust, in collaboration with The National Lottery Community Fund, has awarded a grant of £40,000 towards the construction.

The scheme was devised by the members of the Rotary Club of Rushen and Western Mann.

This is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the club, which was founded in 1973.

John Lindon, past president of the rotary club, said: ’The club’s first community project was the creation of the Bradda Head trail, on which the new viewing platform will be located.

’This work will further benefit the community, in the same vein as the original project that it celebrates, as the scheme will open the views from Bradda Head to everyone, so creating a lasting legacy for the community of today and tomorrow.

’The scheme will be project-managed from within the club by members who are experienced in this type of work, such as architects, builders, engineers and quantity surveyors.

’Members have to date given more than 240 hours working on the scheme.’

The members have provided an architect’s drawing for the platform, gained planning approval for its construction, and had correspondence with all stakeholders, including Port Erin Commissioners, the Department of the Environment, Food and Agriculture and the government’s disabled access advisor.

They will enlarge the existing small viewing platform on the Bradda Head lower footpath to provide a large viewing area that will have full disabled access, with a wheelchair and environmentally-friendly base, a one metre high glass balustrade set back from the existing hedge with the provision of wheelchair-friendly picnic tables.

The viewing platform will consist of formally arranged paviours which will be accessed by an adjacent tarmac footpath, removing the existing uneven and soft surfaces.

Once constructed, DEFA will take over the continued maintenance of the path and viewing platform.

Sarah Kelly, chairman of Manx Lottery Trust, added: ’We are pleased to award this grant to the Rotary Club of Rushen and Western Mann. The dedication, commitment and expertise of the volunteers to help improve access to such a wonderful part of the island is to be applauded.’