PROPOSALS for Castletown have been approved under the government's town centre regeneration scheme and will now go the detailed design stage.

They include improvements to the entrances to the town, better signage and information for tourists, more greenery, clearer links between places of interest and revised parking arrangements.

They were developed following extensive consultation within the community undertaken by Costain Heritage and APA Architects.

Castletown MHK and Chief Minister Tony Brown, speaking as chairman of the town's regeneration committee, welcomed government's support for the enhancement plans.

He said: "I am pleased that my colleagues on the government's regeneration steering group have backed these moves to make the environment of Castletown even more attractive for residents and visitors.

"The Castletown regeneration committee is now looking forward to the development of the proposals in detail which will bring us another step closer to realising the vision for the Island's ancient capital."

Detailed design work will start in March for the improvements and planning applications for the work will follow in the autumn.

A new tourist information centre could open in the town as part of the proposals.