The collection of ancient Manx crosses in Malew Church is on the move in a £23,000 project.

The stones are currently at the back of the gallery above the main nave and it is hard to see them.

A standing stone, said to date back to the time Christianity came to the island, is among the collection.

There are also two grave markers and another cross with similar markings to St Patrick’s chair, also in the south of the island, near Crosby.

The stones will be moved to an area at the end of the north transept.

To achieve this, two pews will be removed to create an area in which to display the cross and stones.

All the stones predate the present building.

The stones are scheduled ancient monuments and Manx National Heritage has given consent to the stones being moved and agreed to supervise the work in moving and re-presenting the stones.

The Manx Lottery Trust granted £16,310 towards the project.

The president of the Friends of Malew Church, Simon Riggall, said: ’We are very grateful to Manx National Heritage for its permission to move the stones and to the Manx Lottery Trust for financial support. In recent years we have seen interest in the cross and carved stones increasing.

’So, to make it easier to view them, a more accessible and appropriate display area will make a big difference. We hope work will be completed by September 4, 2020.’

Manx Lottery Trust chairman Sarah Kelly said: ’The Manx crosses and carved stones are all part of our Manx heritage and we were pleased to be able to help increase accessibility to these interesting and important artefacts from the island’s history.’