More than 200 people flocked to Douglas town hall to take advantage of a rare guided tour of the building.

The event was part of the Manx National Heritage open day programme.

A town hall spokesman said: ’Visitors from Peel to Pittsburgh, Ramsey to Tower Hamlets toured the council chamber, committee room and foyer to view artwork, memorabilia and civic regalia, also to study rare hand-drawn plans of some of Douglas’s landmark buildings, including the town hall.

’They also met the mayor of Douglas, Jon Joughin, and the mayoress, Angela Joughin, together with council members and officers.’

A series of guided tours led by the deputy mayor, Ian Clague and building control manager Nick Kaighin, took visitors to previously unseen areas of the town hall, from the top-floor former caretaker’s flat to the basement.

The town hall open day programme was supplemented by conducted tours of Ballaughton Nursery, where around 50 visitors learned about the parks service and the environmentally-friendly measures in place, such as harvesting rain water to irrigate floral displays and the use of peat-free compost produced from recycled green waste produced on site.

Chris Berry, a visitor on the town hall tour, said: ’It’s great that the town hall has been opened to the public for this weekend, and to see just how well cared-for the building is and how many of the original features have been preserved.

’The guides were extremely well-informed and clearly have a passion for the town hall and its heritage.’

Retired former council employee Ken Barnes said: ’Touring the town hall was really interesting, especially viewing some of the archive material.

’It’s a credit to all the staff how well kept the building is.’

Another visitor, John Nolan, said: ’The tour of the town hall was one of the best we’ve been on. It was excellent, and to hear about the former fire station was particularly interesting.

’I think it’s commendable how sympathetically the building has been modernised over the years without it being spoiled.’

Council leader Councillor David Christian said: ’Douglas town hall has a fascinating story to tell and Manx National Heritage’s open day programme provided the ideal opportunity to share that story with a wide audience.

’The town hall has been at the heart of civic life in the borough since 1900 and the displays and tours arranged over the two days illustrated the history of this landmark building to great effect.’

He said feedback from visitors had been positive and he thanked everyone who who had given up their time to support the event.

The open day was one of several held in the island.