British Waterways has announced it has created a senior management position within its organisation in order to boost its profile and improve on volunteer numbers.

Caroline Killeavy has been named as the head of community engagement and will come up with innovative ways of getting new people on board.

'We want to encourage more community ownership of the waterways which will mean lots of opportunities to get involved in something fun, really rewarding and of considerable benefit to the community,' she commented.

There are already 16,000 volunteer days carried out throughout the year, although British Waterways believes this figure can be increased even further.

Ms Killeavy indicated that it will not only be those who live in the vicinity of canals who will benefit, but also those enjoying Canal Boat Holidays.

British Waterways revealed earlier this month that a new access point had been created at Crosse Hall Lane Bridge in Chorley on the Leeds And Liverpool Canal.