Two ceremonies to remember those who died in the Summerland fire 45 years ago were held on the anniversary of the tragedy.

Organiser of one memorial Tina Brennen, who was a witness to the fire, spoke and co-ordinated a minute’s silence with relatives and survivors in attendance.

Mrs Brennen said at the ceremony: ’I think it’s true of anyone who can relate to trauma, especially where lives were lost, that you never forget it and that evening is still clear in our minds.’

Mrs Brennen used the anniversary to continue her plea for the government to do something constructive with the site, which has lain empty since Summerland was demolished in 2006.

She has repeatedly called for any development on the site to feature a proper memorial to the 50 men women and children who died and the more than 80 who were injured on the night of August 2, 1973.

She added: ’I’m continuing to campaign for a memorial on this derelict site which has been for sale for 10 years by the Isle of Man Government.

’My hope is a memorial of significant size to do justice to this huge tragedy will be incorporated into any proposals.’

During the ceremony, Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums performed Ellan Vannin.

Mrs Brennen revealed earlier this week that this is the first year she had been able to organise a ceremony on the former site of Summerland.

She was granted permission for access to the site this year following talks with Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer MHK.

Douglas Council also held a ceremony near the site in the Kaye Memorial Garden led by Mayor Jonathan Joughin.

He led a minute’s silence before laying a wreath in front of the memorial stones which list the victims.