Outstanding natural landscape officially endorsed

The Isle of Man has joined ranks with places like Ayers Rock in Australia, Mount Kenya in Africa and the Taj Mahal.

It’s after the United Nations’ cultural body officially granted the Island world heritage status.

It’s seen off fierce competition to be granted biosphere status by UNESCO.

Biosphere reserves are designated as areas that have outstanding natural landscapes, balancing the needs of people, business and nature.

It brings the total number of protected nature reserves to 669 across 120 countries.