Losses of more than half a million pounds at St. John’s Sawmill should be wiped out completely in three years time - so says Agriculture Minister Phil Gawne.

After losses were estimated to be in the region of ?600,000 annually as recently as 2005, a department business plan is continuing to tackle the problem, as well as investing in new equipment and improving the facilities.

That includes a new woodchip manufacturing and storage system which will provide fuel to public buildings.

Mr Gawne says the use of timber as a fuel has significant potential benefits, both financial and environmentally, for the Isle of Man and he’s delighted with the turnaround at the Sawmill.