Man power, horse power and motor power will be pitted against each other in a challenge to raise money for a Black Country church.

The Trinity Boat Pull, organised in aid of Holy Trinity Church in Old Hill, will see three canal boats pulled from Hawne Basin in Halesowen to Windmill End at Netherton.

But each boat will be tugged by a different method – one by a horse, another by a team of men and the third boat will be powered by its own motor. A similar event held last year raised £1,700 for the church’s regeneration fund, set up to carry out repairs at the church which is expanding to meet the local community’s needs.

The Trinity Boat Pull will be held on September 12 and Coombeswood Canal Trust and British Waterways has agreed to loan organisers three narrowboats to take part in the event. The challenge will see each method of power pull their boat around two-and-a-half miles.

The horse chosen to demonstrate his power is 17-year-old Clydesdale Prince who found fame when he pulling a boat for the Fred Dibnah programme. Prince regularly takes part in fetes, shows and boat pulls all over the Black Country alongside his owner Jayne Broadkey.

Christine Tibbetts, fundraising chairman for the Holy Trinity Church Regeneration Project, said: “We are delighted and privileged to have this wonderful horse at our event pulling the canal boat, although I am told that Prince will draw the line when it comes to the tunnels – these will need to be ‘legged’ by a four man team and meet him the other end.”

The Boat Pull Fundraising Team has devised a number of ways that people can help to raise funds for the event – visit www.holytrinity-oldhill.org.uk/boatpull.htm or call 07789 692321 for more information.