Commemorations mark 51 years since Summerland fire

A service was held at Douglas Council's memorial to those who died

Commemorations to mark the 51st anniversary of the Summerland fire disaster have taken place in the Isle of Man's capital.

Fifty people died in a blaze that consumed the entertainment complex on the evening of 2 August 1973.

Douglas Council held its annual ceremony at a memorial dedicated to the tragedy in the Kaye Memorial Gardens on Douglas Promenade at 18:45 BST.

A separate commemorative event took place at the Summerland site a short time later from 19:00.

Both events saw survivors and others affected by the tragedy gather to remember those who died.

Natalie Byron-Teare addressed the assembled crowd at the Douglas Council-led ceremony

The council-led ceremony included prayers led by Monsignor John Devine and wreath laying by the mayor of Douglas and survivor Ruth McQuillan-Wilson.

Ahead of the service, Council Leader Claire Wells said: "What happened at Summerland continues to resonate for both survivors and the relatives of those who died and it is important an annual tribute is held in their memory."

A memorial was first placed in the Kaye Memorial Gardens in 1998, a the current tribute unveiled by the local authority in 2013 to mark the 40th anniversary of the disaster.

Fire engulfed the complex on the evening 2 August 1973

The second ceremony, on the site itself, will also included wreath laying along with a the observing of a minute's silence.

Organiser Tina Brennan recently renewed a call for a permanent memorial on the site of the fire.

Tina Brennan has called for a memorial on the Summerland site

A spokeswoman for the government previously said that "at the upcoming memorial event we will remember the people who died, and acknowledge the enduring effects on survivors, the bereaved and those who responded to the tragedy".

Campaign group Justice for Summerland has said it intends take legal action to get the misadventure verdict of the original inquest overturned.