Castle Rushen will open tomorrow (Saturday), two months into the Manx National Heritage season.

While other attractions such as Peel Castle and Rushen Abbey opened on March 30, Castletown’s historic castle has remained closed while renovations were completed.

The improvements have seen the first major renovations to public facilities since Manx National Heritage took over the castle 30 years ago.

A spokesman for MNH said: ’The works have seen the construction of a new fully accessible bridge to the keep, level access to the ground floor rooms, new glazed doorways in the gatehouse, a new shop area and an interpretation room.

’Castles are designed to keep people out but the new improvements will welcome visitors and have been undertaken to give the widest possible access - including those with limited mobility.

’This conservation project began at the close of the season in 2017 and has taken place during a relentless winter.

’Our visitors’ safety is paramount and we take this opportunity to thank our supporters for their patience whilst these key works have been under way and apologise for any inconvenience it may have caused.’

Castletown Commissioners had raised concerns over the delays to the opening of the castle and called it ’embarrassing’.

MNH sites are open 10am until 5pm between now and September 1, when opening times change.

For more information on this and other MNH sites visit www.manxnationalheritage.im or ring 648000.