More than 12,500 children on the Isle of Man (IoM) have been granted free admission to Manx National Heritage (MNH) attractions as part of the Arts, Culture and Education Scheme (ACE).

The initiative is designed to enable young people under the age of 18 years old in full-time education on the island to access a number of heritage sites through the use of a free admission card in 2010. From 2 April, ACE cardholders will also be given the chance to visit seasonal Story of Mann sites, including the Grove Museum of Victorian Life, Ramsey; the National Folk Museum at Cregneash and the Old House of Keys in Castletown for free.

MNH education services officer, Anthea Young, said: "We have already begun to notice young visitors beginning to use their ACE cards at the House of Manannan and we hope that many new visitors will use their ACE cards at all Manx National Heritage sites in the coming year." ACE was developed by MNH in partnership with the island's Department of Education and has received support from Conister Bank.