BOAT RESTORERS HOPE TO HIT JACKPOT WITH THE HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND

Enthusiasts hoping to renovate a rare canal boat are keeping their fingers crossed for a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to kick start restoration work.

The Shropshire Union Fly-boat Restoration Society, in partnership with British Waterways and The Waterways Trust, are hoping to hit the jackpot with a bid to restore the last floating example of a Shropshire Union Fly-boat, Saturn.

British Waterways bought the fly-boat earlier this year, rescuing the craft from an uncertain future. The Society now hopes to fully restore the boat, which was built at Chester in 1906. The plan is to return the boat to its original horse-drawn operating condition and then display it as a working heritage centrepiece for education and events across the North West waterways.

The fly-boat, which was originally used for freight and later as a hotel boat, is currently awaiting restoration at Ellesmere Port Boat Museum. The refurbishment is expected to take up to three years.

Harry Arnold, Chairman of the Society, said: "Saturn is a unique survivor of the horse-drawn fly-boat era. The boat has a fascinating history and the partnership is very eager to see it preserved as a living, working example of our rich canal heritage for future generations. Funding is still not secure but if the Heritage Lottery Fund decides in our favour it will give a major boost to the project."

Anyone wishing to contribute to the restoration fund should contact Harry Arnold, chairman of the Shropshire Union Fly-boat Restoration Society, on 01283 790447