Forgotten waterways explored in challenge

Some of the region's forgotten waterways were back in use over the weekend as boaters took part in a 24-hour canal marathon.

It had been seven years since the event last took place, but more than 40 crews made it to the finish line at Walsall town arm, exhausted after hours of exploring.

The winner of the race is still being calculated as points are awarded for the number of locks passed and the remoteness of the waterways that are encountered.

Walsall's Roy Kenn organised the event with friend Graham Whorton, chairman of the Birmingham Canal Navigation Society.

Roy, 74, from Hollemeadow Avenue, Leamore, who was part of the winning team when the event was last held in 2002, said: "It's been a really good day, luckily we've had the weather for it."

On the canal were Barbara and Neil Hodgson and Julie and Colin Skipsey, who were navigating Griffin No 2.

Barbara, 63, from Acton Trussell, near Stafford, said: "We call my husband The Admiral because he thinks he's in charge. We've got through 34 locks and we think about 40 miles so it's been hard work."

Julie, 46, from Newcastle added: "We've seen lots of rubbish. But it's also been a really lovely way to see the countryside."

Simon Walker, from Pavilion Avenue, Smethwick, was part of the crew on Birmingham Canal Navigation Society's working boat Phoenix. With friends Charlene Mullar, 28, from London, James Nugent, 27, from Reading, and dog Teddy, they crossed the finish line at around 1.30pm. "I didn't think we would ever do it," he said.

For the crew of Just No 2, Julia and Stuart Finch and their grandson Steven, aged 16, there was a four-hour haul up Bradley Workshop, clogged with weeds and silt.

"We got completely stuck and we had to jump out and pull ourselves free in the end," said Julia, from Whitchurch. "It's been a lot of fun though, an adventure."