A major organisation has called for drivers to slow down when crossing hump-back bridges in order to maintain these structures and ensure those on Canal Boat Holidays can continue to enjoy these historic sights.

British Waterways spends £2.

5 million repairing the damage done to the 1,800 bridges of this type in the UK, which it says would be unnecessary if drivers were to slow down when crossing these.

Its estimates show two of these bridges are struck by vehicles each week and that repairing these is diverting resources away from other projects.

Nigel Crowe, head of heritage at British Waterways claims that many of these structures are classified as special architecture or items of historical significance.

He explains: 'If motorists just slowed down a bit and took more care and attention then we'd not be defacing our heritage in this way on a day-to-day basis.

' Earlier this month, the Campaign to Protect Rural England called on fans of Canal Boat Holidays to put pressure on the government to make the countryside an issue at the general election.