It was a red letter day for supporters of the restoration of Queen’s Pier, Ramsey.

The volunteers’ trust behind the ambitious plans to repair and reopen the Victorian landmark this week signed a five-year lease with the government that will allow them to begin work.

Planners have approved the Queen’s Pier Restoration Trust’s application to restore the first three bays.

Some £60,000 is needed for the work on the first bay of the pier. So far half that amount has been raised.

No taxpayers’ money is involved in the project. With the lease signed, the Trust is particularly keen to get the support of corporate sponsors and for pledges of donations to be honoured.

Read more in next week’s Examiner about Trust chairman Tom Durrant’s vision for the pier.

Potential corporate sponsors and anyone interested in making a donation towards the restoration can contact Tom at [email protected] or you can find the Trust on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/queenspiertrust/