Another landmark in the restoration of Queen’s Pier is due to take place next month when the next big lift operation takes place.

Replacement steelwork for bays two and three has been manufactured, galvanised and painted in the UK - and is due to be delivered to Ramsey imminently.

The new girders are due to be craned into position on bay two towards the end of February, weather permitting, followed by those for bay three at Easter.

But while the project is proceeding apace, the volunteers are appealing for the loan of a forklift truck to help lighten their workload.

Last weekend, they had to carry a half tonne length of railway track onto the pier - a job that would have been less backbreaking with a forklift.

Project manager Stuart McKenzie said: ’What we could really do with is a forklift to help us move the heavy items in the compound so easing the strain on volunteers’ backs! However, this is a capital item and we need most of the funds for the materials such as the steel so perhaps there is a company out there who could help or maybe even we could have a public "forklift appeal"!’

Giving an update on the project, Stuart said: ’I am pleased to confirm that we have completed fitting the south grids and are now working on the north section.

’We have also got almost all the south stringers on bay one levelled out in preparation for laying the Ekki planks, a sample set having been given a coat of Danish oil to aid preservation.

’The first railway line has been manoeuvred into its approximate position on its dedicated stringer prior to lining up the filler pieces which separate it from the Ekki.’

He added: ’We are looking forward to the arrival of the steel for bays two and three which is due very soon and intend to fit bay two towards the end of February with a tentative schedule for bay three at Easter.’

Contact the pier trust on 477062 or at [email protected]