British Waterways is appealing for people to become volunteer lock keepers on the canals in the West Midlands.

Volunteers would welcome visitors, help boaters through locks and maintain the surrounding area.

British Waterways, which is soon to become The Canal and River Trust, is responsible for 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales.

Ed Moss, national volunteering manager with British Waterways, said they get enquiries about volunteering on a daily basis.

Les Sumpter, who has worked for British Waterways for 25 years and is lock keeper at Lapworth, said I personally think if it's going to help, it's wonderful.

The appeal in the West Midlands is part of a campaign across England and Wales to find volunteers for 61 sites and is being backed by actor Brian Blessed who has loved canals and rivers ever since a child.

A Canal Boat Holiday is a perfect way to experience locks and to meet the lock keepers.

Locks are devices for raising and lowering a Canal Boat between different levels of water on the canals and in the UK just about every inland waterway will have some type of lock.

Do not worry if you are about to go on your first Canal Boat Holiday and have no idea how to operate a lock your trainer will explain it all to you.

Locks are part of your Canal Boat Holiday that the whole family can be involved in, especially the kids and as once you get to grips with them locks are all part of the fun.

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