As if by magic the fairies have settled in Port Erin’s Athol Park.

A new settlement of 18 fairy houses show the little people have established themselves in the park.

Despite it being a recreational space this greenfield development has the backing of the local authority.

Indeed Port Erin Commissioners provided the building material for the houses which are built from logs supplied by them.

The village’s Men in Sheds grouted and hollowed out shapes for the doors, which were supplied by Port Erin business Trend Gifts, and decorated by children at Rushen School.

Chairman of Port Erin Commissioners, Godfrey Egee said: ’This has been a wonderful project to engage with both the older and younger residents.

’The children have really engaged with their creative sides in designing the fairy houses and the Men in Sheds have worked well in realising those designs to a point where the children could then finish them off with some fantastic decorations.

’The idea came about around 18 months ago when we had to have a tree removed within Athol Park, so it was suggested that we retain some of the larger branches to undertake a project of this nature. It has taken a bit of co-ordination, but the results are fantastic and we hope that families will come down to Athol Glen to explore the 18 fairy houses dotted around the Glen and also spend some time in the recently completed Athol Park play area.’

The commissioners are keen to see what the villager’s newest residents look like and have invited drawings of the fairies to be entered into a competition, see visitporterin.com for details.

Of course to be able to see fairies it is a great advantage to be a little person oneself.