The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust has raised at least £640 with its tenth annual sponsored walk celebrating the ongoing canal restoration between Chippenham and Lacock.

About 120 people enjoyed a stroll in the hot sunshine on Bank Holiday Monday on a widened towpath alongside the recently-restored wharf where narrowboats once waited to enter the flight of locks.

Walkers included pupils from St Paul’s and Redlands primary schools, Hardenhuish School, Chippenham Sea Cadets and the Scouts. They were waved off from The Buttercross in Chippenham Market Place by mayor Andy Phillips.

Walkers joined the historic line at Pewsham Locks before following the towpath south towards Lacock, where they gathered to celebrate in The Bell Inn.

The four-mile walk showcased the achievements of the volunteers who are rebuilding the stretch between Chippenham and Melksham.

In recent years, several hundred metres have been dredged and refilled with water for the first time in a century.

Event organiser Peter Williams, a member of the Melksham, Chippenham and Calne branch of the trust, was one of 35 volunteers helping out on the day.

Mr Williams said: “The farmers are quite happy to have the soil put on their fields after it’s been tested by Defra. It’s fertile, there’s about 4ft of silt from rotted leaves down there.

“There used to be 67 miles of waterway. In the last 24 years I have seen 14 miles restored.

“It was abandoned in 1914 because of the competition from the railways. 1895 was the last documented boat through from end to end.”

Valerie Leverick, 61, was walking with her husband John, who has just retired as chairman of the trust after six years.

She said: “When I first did this walk about six years ago there was no water along here, just weeds. It’s nice to see more and more improvements each time we come.

“It’s the first time I’ve worn a sun hat. Last year it was pouring down.”