on a spring clean sweep

THE sterling efforts of community volunteers have been praised by British Waterways ahead of the boating season.

British Waterways teamed up with volunteer groups to launch a major spring clean across the Wales and border counties region for the new season and the Trent and Mersey canal in Middlewich was one of the four waterways targeted.

Middlewich Clean Team helped to paint a series of locks and fences along the stretch of water and, now the project is complete, the canal is set to sparkle for the hundreds of boating visitors expected to visit the town over the summer months.

Derek Cochrane, managing director of Northern Waterways, said the spring clean had set the scene for the forthcoming season, adding: "Improvements to the waterway environment are a key aspect of our visitor strategy as well as an integral part of our role in conserving the natural appearance and balance of our waterways.

"The contribution made by waterway volunteer groups in the successful delivery of these projects can't be overstated."