ASTRONAUTS unveiled a plaque in Noble's Park, Douglas, this morning to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first powered flight in the Isle of Man.

Members of the crew of flight STS-133 - the final flight of the space shuttle Discovery - are in the Island as guests of Tynwald.

It is exactly 100 years to the day since the first powered and passenger flights in the Island were made in Noble's Park by Claude Graham-White in his Farman biplane.

Mayor of Douglas Ritchie McNicholl welcomed the guests who said they were honoured to be in the Island to celebrate the occasion.

Luckily the sun shone on the ceremony - Claude Graham-White's first flight had been blighted by poor weather.

The plaque was unveiled by pilot Eric Boe and mission specialists Michael Barratt, Stephen Bowen and Nicole Stott - the wife of Chris Stott, the Isle of Man Government's honorary representative to the space industry.

As Americans they will be celebrating Independence Day today. Tomorrow they will be at the Tynwald Day ceremony at St John's.