THE Canal and River Trust has hailed its volunteers as it celebrates its fifth anniversary.

Volunteers in the North Wales and Borders waterway partnership have donated over 43,000 hours towards looking after the region’s 230 miles of canals and river over the last year.

More than 40 lock keepers gave 6,500 hours to assist boaters though the locks and helping visitors to find nearby shops, pubs and picnic spots.

Brenda Harvey, chair of the CRT North Wales and Borders waterway partnership, said: “Here we are in 2017 and there are more people than ever supporting our work.

“We’ve worked with such a diverse variety of individuals, groups and organisations who all recognise the potential of their waterways and want to play a part in making them better.

“Our waterways have the potential to make a really positive impact on people’s lives so it’s imperative that this support continues.”

Nationally the number of hours contributed by volunteers topped half a million for the first time.

The creation of the CRT in July 2012 was the single largest transfers of a public body into the charitable sector.

To volunteer or donate visit canalrivertrust.org.uk.