A Wiltshire waterway could be brought back to life at a faster pace if more helpers are recruited during National Volunteer Week from June 1 to June 7.

The Wilts and Berks Canal Trust, which is restoring the former waterway from the Kennet and Avon Canal near Melksham to the Thames and Severn Canal near Cricklade and the River Thames near Abingdon, hopes to recruit more supporters to help with a variety of tasks.

Aside from work parties, which restore the towpaths, bridges, culverts and wharves, the charity also needs help with fundraising, administration and research.

Businesses can also get involved by taking part in team challenges, where staff spend the day clearing undergrowth, removing obstacles and digging out the former canal bed.

Branches in need of support include Melksham, Chippenham and Calne, Foxham and Lyneham, and Royal Wootton Bassett.

Trust chairman John Laverick said: “We have lots of enthusiastic volunteers, of all ages and backgrounds, who generously give up their evenings and weekends to support the restoration campaign.

“We know we could achieve so much more if we could spread the workload more evenly, perhaps recruiting enough volunteers to begin projects in other areas which haven’t been touched yet.”

The canal will eventually connect Chippenham, Calne, Royal Wootton Bassett and Swindon. For more details, visit www.wbct.org.uk