Globally, 2010 has been named the International Year of Biodiversity and fans of Canal Boat Holidays are celebrating this by exploring the wildlife alongside Britain's waterways.

Dr Mark Robinson, ecology manager at British Waterways, claims that the country's canals are a 'rich haven' of animals and plants.

He said that everyone who loves the country's canals should do one thing to support these resources' biodiversity.

'Protecting and preserving this biodiversity is an important strand in attracting and justifying many thousands of pounds of public and third party funding for waterways projects,' Dr Robinson added.

In addition to the charity, over 200 other organisations have committed to supporting the UN's biodiversity event.

The UK partnership supporting this has highlighted the essential role it has to play in sustaining the natural living systems and ecosystems.

It calls for everybody - from Canal Boat Holiday lovers to politicians - to get behind movements to safeguard and protect this.