Footpaths around the Island will be given a facelift by people paying back to the Manx community.

?25,000 is being spent on a new collaborative project between the Department of Infrastructure and Beach Buddies.

People on community service and probation orders will help maintain access to public footpaths and rights of way to ensure the most popular routes are maintained to a high standard.  

Beach Buddies founder Bill Dale says: "Teams from community service and probation have been regularly joining each Buddies events for some years.

"It was good to have these people take part in beach cleaning but it was also clear they had more to offer and could be put to an even better use.

"We asked whether, over a couple of weekends, they could help repair a footpath at Niarbyl, which had been badly damaged in storms, and they did a really great job.

"These were people with all sorts of different skills and it just seemed logical that they could take on other projects."

Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer says: "I'm delighted that this project is now underway and that more of our footpaths can be given the attention they deserve.

"The Year of Our Island initiative encourages people to get out and explore more and the work of Beach Buddies and the Department of Infrastructure will support this.

"The funding being provided will ensure value for money for taxpayers in a range of ways.

"Beach Buddies will engage with volunteers and local authorities from all over the Island to organise work in their area.

"In addition, people under community service and probation orders will be called upon by Beach Buddies to carry out work, improving the environment and helping them to gain a greater sense of pride for their surroundings and communities."