British Waterways is using a traditional technique involving ash to maintain water levels on the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Lock keepers on the Caen Hill flight of locks near Devizes pour the ash from Avon Valley steam Railway in Bitton near Bristol into the canal just above a lock.

The flow of water sucks the ash into the small gaps in the gates to form a watertight seal and help maintain water levels during the summer when water is in short supply.

The technique has saved British Waterways thousands of pounds and the ash is deemed to have no long term significant impact on the water.

Lock keeper Trevor Skoyles said: “It’s great to see traditional techniques, brought back to life.”