British Waterways has appealed for volunteers to keep the Kennet and Avon Canal looking good as it struggles with shrinking budgets.

The quango, shortly to reinvent itself as a charity, is launching a new volunteering scheme to find people prepared to give up a few hours a month to help maintain the 200-year-old waterway.

Mark Stephens, British Waterways’ waterway manager, said: “The Kennet and Avon Canal is a beautiful stretch of waterway. Unfortunately, British Waterways has limited resources to be able to keep the canal looking good.

“We hope that local people will join us to help with tasks such as cutting back overgrown vegetation so the towpath is kept clear, as well as painting lock gates and clearing litter from the canal.”

In Wiltshire, monthly working parties are being set up at Crofton, Bedwyn and Devizes. Each session will run from 10am to 3pm and volunteers will be supplied with all the safety equipment needed for towpath tasks.

The working parties will start in February and run throughout the year. The Crofton one will operate on the first Thursday of each month starting on February 3, at Bedwyn on the second Thursday of the month starting on February 10 and at Devizes on the third Thursday of the month starting on February 17.

Anyone wishing to take part is asked to contact volunteer co-ordinator Karen Fishwick on 07917 424590 or at karen.fishwick@britishwaterways.co.uk