Three months of essential work on the Tower of Refuge in Douglas Bay begins today (Monday 23).

It's a substantial project which includes re-pointing two-thirds of the structure - and installing a new lighting scheme.

A full height scaffold will be erected around the entire tower while the works are underway for the next 12 weeks.

That will partly shield the landmark through the summer - but the Department of Transport says major re-pointing work has to be done.

Special 'heritage' mortar will be used on the external elevations from the top down, and around the tower's 52 metre circumfrence.

Once the re-pointing is complete, new lighting to show-off the tower of refuge at night, will be installed.

Three months should be long enough - but the DoT says all the works are weather dependent - if there are no major setbacks, this latest restoration should be complete by the end of September.