The Reih Bleeaney Vanannan ceremony takes place at lunchtime today (Friday), at the International Business School.

Each year the Manx Heritage Foundation award recognises an outstanding contribution to the Island's culture by a group or individual.

The winner receives a trophy featuring the sea god Manannan, and can choose a Manx cultural cause to which the foundation makes a donation.

Previous awards have been made for work such as visual arts, archaeological and historical research, the environment, music and Manx language and literature.

Last year's recipient, Joan Caine, was commended for her dedication to promoting the Manx language over the last 40 years.