UP to 30 boats on the Kennet & Avon Canal between Bath and Devizes are in danger of sinking because their owners can’t afford to maintain them, it was claimed this week.

Many of the narrowboats are owned by people living on low incomes or on state benefits, some of whom also suffer with mental health problems.

Phil Young, of the Water Reed narrowboat in Bradford on Avon, has lived on the canals for the past 17 years.

He is spearheading a campaign to establish a Floaty Boat Fund to help members of the boating community in need.

“I estimate that about 20 to 30 boaters are in need of help between Bath and Devizes. Their boats are in imminent danger of sinking.

“We’d like to raise around £30,000 to enable the boating community to patch up those boats that are in immediate danger of sinking.”

Wiltshire Council’s area board, together with The Hub in Bradford on Avon and local churches, are providing support.

The move follows requests from individual members of the boating community on the K&A Canal for support during times of financial hardship.

Local churches have collected for boaters in need, while The Hub in Bradford on Avon’s Church Street has provided food parcels and hot lunches for some boaters, plus a debt advice service.

Peter Dunford, of Wiltshire Council’s Bradford on Avon Area Board, said: “It is hoped to establish a Floaty Boat Fund by way of grants and donations.

“Building off the success of the floating market, there are plans to help boaters help themselves through developing new merchandising and other entrepreneurship.

“This will be run for boaters, by boaters and funders, with the aim of supporting the community on matters of wellbeing and hardship.”