An over-sized deckchair and several smaller ones have been installed in Market Square, Castletown, showing the square is a recreational space and not just a car park.

The seating was bought by the local authority and according to commissioners’ chairman Colin Leather have proved ’very popular’.

’They provide a photo opportunity, particularly for children. They’ve gone down a storm,’ he said.

Since regeneration work in the square several years ago the local authority has been promoting its use for recreation.

In April they closed the square to parking until September.

A petition against the move was drawn up as people feared the square’s closure would deter shoppers and kill the town.

It led the authority to reopen half the square to parking - and just close it to parking for events.

At the time the authority said: ’The commissioners are committed to making the newly created public space on the Castle side a safe, welcoming area and have invested in new seating, outdoor play equipment and an astroturfed family-friendly area which will include deckchairs and outdoor games.

’A culture corner will be created which will permit entertainers to showcase their talent using the town’s new outdoor sound system.’

In addition, they said that the board was in talks with Manx National Heritage to ’optimise the usage of the Castle Rushen Speakers Garden open space’.