THE Isle of Man was once again featured in a repeat showing of the popular BBC series ‘Coast’ last night on prime time Sunday evening television.

It’s not the first time this episode of the hit series has been shown on television, but every time it is broadcast this is fantastic publicity for the Island, and can do nothing but good for tourist figures.

Filmed a number of years ago, there can hardly be a better free advertisement for the Isle of Man - and when better than in the run-up to Christmas when thoughts turn to the new year and holidays?

‘Coast’ is one of the BBC’s most successful and longest-running documentaries and is always beautifully filmed and produced.

Presenter Neil Oliver looks at all sorts of Manx treasures. Pete Geddes of the Manx Mines Research Group shows him the insides of the Laxey Mines; Roger Claire shows him how Laxey Wheel works; he takes a trip on the Manx Electric Railway to the top of Snaefell; he visits the archaeological dig sparked off when the new Ronaldsway airport runway was extended and tells the story of Sir William Hillary and the creation of the RNLI and the Tower of Refuge.

Neil Oliver is clearly a fan of the Isle of Man and particularly its gaelic traditions and strong Scottish connections. This comes over clearly with his colourful descriptions of the Isle of Man and its culture.

His words say everything - “It might be tiny but the Manx mainland packs in lots of landscapes - rolling green hills in the north, a gnarled rocky coastline in the south and a scattering of sandy beaches - the Isle of Man could be the British Isles in miniature.”

He adds, “For a small island it can boast some big ideas.”

No doubt the ‘Coast’ programme featuring the Isle of Man will be repeated again in the future. Each time it can only bring positive publicity to assist our tourist industry which is a bonus to new recent emphasis on examining ideas for new business, particularly outside of the traditional seasons.

Such TV air time would be unbelievably expensive to buy and the support given to supporting television programmes by government - often criticised - is, in this case, fully justified when you see the Isle of Man portrayed so beautifully each time on ‘Coast’, no matter how many times it’s repeated.

Long may the BBC ‘Coast’ repeats continue. Neil Oliver and his team are welcome to return any time.