The uplands may be closed to vehicles over the winter

More needs to be done to protect the island's heather uplands, Phil Gawne, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry minister said.

Measures being considered include closing the land to motorised vehicles for six months of the year.

Mr Gawne said the uplands were one of the island's "natural treasures".

The plans will be discussed at a Tynwald sitting in October.

'Fragile habitat'

If approved, the land will be closed off for the winter months - between October and March - when it is more vulnerable to damage.

Mr Gawne said: "The heather uplands of the Manx hills are one of the island's national treasures, providing a fragile habitat that is rare on the whole of Europe.

"Sadly, previous efforts have failed to stop the uplands being ripped up by vehicles, damage which is then aggravated by erosion.

"The time has come to try new measures which will hopefully be more effective."