Copper phone network switch-off prompt loan application from sheltered housing board

A sheltered housing board is asking for government permission to borrow more than £74,000 as the Island's copper phone network faces being turned off.

The Southern Sheltered Housing Board, which runs Marashen Crescent in Port Erin, Reayrt y Chrink and Cooil Veg in Port St Mary, and Sandfield and Millhope Close in Castletown, has applied to the Department of Infrastructure for permission.

It says it needs the money to buy emergency alarm pendants and lift call systems before the copper network is switched off fully in 2029.

And it adds it'll repay the £74,298 over 20 years.