The infrastructure minister says he would welcome the reopening of the Castle Mona Hotel in Douglas.

But Phil Gawne is insisting he would only have a say in the future of the building if it fell into disrepair.

The prestigious establishment closed over three and half years ago and has since been sold to the Sefton Group for ?4 million.

It's one of the most striking buildings on the promenade, and Mr Gawne hopes it won't be out of use for much longer (play audio file):

Mr Gawne was speaking after being questioned on the subject in the House of Keys, by Onchan MHK Peter Karran.

Members were told the Castle Mona is regularly checked, and is still being heated, to make sure damp doesn't become a problem.