The chairman of the Isle of Man Victorian Society, Charles Guard, has appealed for additional volunteers to help run the Great Union Camera Obscura.

The historian and film-maker, who recently shocked the nation with his video of the decaying state of some of the island’s famous Victorian landmarks, says that many of the volunteers who have been helping keep the 130-year-old Camera Obscura open over the past 17 years have now called it a day, mainly due to medical ailments.

The Douglas Head tourist attraction re-opened at the beginning of this month, with weekends and bank-holidays seeing the Manx flag flying from the Victorian built structure, informing those that the venue is open for business.

Built in 1892, the camera obscura holds 11 lenses and a mirror, enabling visitors to enjoy a 360-degree view of Douglas Harbour, Douglas Head lighthouse and the seascape.

The obscura belongs to the government, however since its renovation and re-opening in 2005 it has been ran by volunteers from the Victorian Society.

Mr Guard (pictured below), who last year received an MBE award for his services to Manx culture and heritage, is a volunteer himself, and hopes that members of the public will come forward, just like many did 10 years ago after an appeal from the Victorian Society.

He said: ‘We hope there are others out there who enjoy meeting people and care about the camera obscura staying open on a Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer months.

‘I gain a great deal of satisfaction when visitors from all over the world comment on how wonderful it is that this marvel of the Victorian times is still running.

‘This year the camera obscura is 130 years old and we don’t want it to be its last.’

Volunteers don’t have to be members of the Victorian Society to sign up, and full training will be provided for enthusiastic new recruits.

Those interested or would like further information should contact Ruth or Peter Kelly on 621733.