An exhibition has given a wildlife charity a membership boost.

Manx Wildlife Trust’s Wilder Future campaign launch, at the courthouse in Ramsey, saw 783 people visiting the exhibition and 27 new members recruited.

It is the largest number ever recruited at any MWT event.

In addition, 14 new volunteers were recurited and more then £300 was given in donations.

The event was opened by MWT’s patron Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney.

The Wilder Future campaign recognises the decline in Manx wildlife and wild places such as dubs (ponds) and the Ballaugh Curraghs wetlands and seeks to build public support for action to better safeguard a healthy, natural environment.

Visitors to the exhibition saw live demonstrations of local marine life, rescued hedgehogs, a film of Manx residents chronicling the decline of wildlife in their lifetime and interactive displays including an art installation and a tumbling tower game demonstrating how the loss of species and habitats will ultimately lead to a collapse of our ecosystem.

Dr Tim Graham, MWT’s chief executive, said: ’We’re really pleased with the initial response to our Wilder Future campaign.

’It was clear that a lot of people really enjoyed the interactive elements of the exhibition and were taking away lot of information. We hope that, over the coming months, more of us will recognise the value of a Wilder Future for the Isle of Man and support the actions needed to secure it.’

Visitors to the exhibition could complete the Wilder Future public opinion survey and nearly 400 responses have been received so far.

Early results show 96% want government action on the issues facing the Isle of Man’s environment, with pollution, climate change and over development cited as the leading concerns for Manx residents.

Members of the public who are unable to make the exhibition can complete the survey online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NXNCPYS

MWT is looking for more venues to host the exhibition over the next couple of years.

The exhibition can next be seen at the Environment Festival in Peel on May 3 and 4. Then it will go to the Festival of the Sea in Port Erin on July 13 and 14 and rhe Royal Agricultural Show in Knockaloe near Peel on August 9 and 10 and then the airport atrium from August 17 to 25.