UNDERWATER NATURE TRAIL ESTABLISHED.

DIVERS will be able to enjoy a new underwater nature trail in Port Erin bay this summer.

The trail ? expected to take 40 minutes to complete ? starts at the seaward jetty off Raglan pier, goes west for 250 metres, then turns north for 150m to a buoy before returning to the jetty.

Ten stations along the route ? marked by plastic boards or concrete blocks, depending on the seabed ? will denote features of special interest, such as sea urchins, starfish, anemones, peacock worms, crabs, lobsters, pipefish and kelp forests.

A display board on land will outline the route to divers, giving information on what they should look out for. Although it was designed for divers, the trail could also be used by snorkelers.

The idea is the brainchild of Dr Sebastian Holmes, of Port Erin Marine Laboratory.

After diving an underwater nature trail in Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset, and given the richness of marine life and interest in diving in Port Erin's bay, he thought they should create one here.

He said: 'I was surprised when I first dived here at how much life there was. It's very, very good. It's safe and not that deep in the middle of the bay ? the maximum high tide is 15 metres.

Port Erin Commissioners have agreed to accept responsibility for the upkeep of the board while local diving clubs will look after the underwater signs.

Dr Holmes said staff from the marine laboratory, which closes in September when funding from Liverpool University comes to an end, will do the labour, bolting down stainless steel markers and sinking the concrete blocks.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has given a [pounds sterling]1,700 Wildlife and Conservation grant for the cost of the display board, underwater signs and any other costs relating to using the laboratory's equipment.

Laminated diagrams of the nature trail will be available at the commissioners' office and possibly from a website yet to be established.

Sadly, the trail is one of the few legacies of the laboratory that will officially close on September 30.

Dr Holmes, 35, who has worked at the laboratory since September 2004, said he regretted the decision to close the laboratory, particularly given its illustrious 114-year history. The future use of the laboratory site future remains undecided.

UNDERWATER NATURE TRAIL ESTABLISHED.

DIVERS will be able to enjoy a new underwater nature trail in Port Erin bay this summer.

The trail ? expected to take 40 minutes to complete ? starts at the seaward jetty off Raglan pier, goes west for 250 metres, then turns north for 150m to a buoy before returning to the jetty.

Ten stations along the route ? marked by plastic boards or concrete blocks, depending on the seabed ? will denote features of special interest, such as sea urchins, starfish, anemones, peacock worms, crabs, lobsters, pipefish and kelp forests.

A display board on land will outline the route to divers, giving information on what they should look out for. Although it was designed for divers, the trail could also be used by snorkelers.

The idea is the brainchild of Dr Sebastian Holmes, of Port Erin Marine Laboratory.

After diving an underwater nature trail in Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset, and given the richness of marine life and interest in diving in Port Erin's bay, he thought they should create one here.

He said: 'I was surprised when I first dived here at how much life there was. It's very, very good. It's safe and not that deep in the middle of the bay ? the maximum high tide is 15 metres.

Port Erin Commissioners have agreed to accept responsibility for the upkeep of the board while local diving clubs will look after the underwater signs.

Dr Holmes said staff from the marine laboratory, which closes in September when funding from Liverpool University comes to an end, will do the labour, bolting down stainless steel markers and sinking the concrete blocks.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has given a [pounds sterling]1,700 Wildlife and Conservation grant for the cost of the display board, underwater signs and any other costs relating to using the laboratory's equipment.

Laminated diagrams of the nature trail will be available at the commissioners' office and possibly from a website yet to be established.

Sadly, the trail is one of the few legacies of the laboratory that will officially close on September 30.

Dr Holmes, 35, who has worked at the laboratory since September 2004, said he regretted the decision to close the laboratory, particularly given its illustrious 114-year history. The future use of the laboratory site future remains undecided.