ANOTHER stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal is to be given a new lease of life.

Waterways chiefs have announced that the canal through Hapton will benefit from a partnership project promising major improvements to the tow-path and embankments.

The £27,000 scheme is being paid for by Lancashire Environmental Fund and Lancashire County Council and is being championed by British Waterways.

The works are now underway and over the next week canal users will see wider and waterproofed towpaths and cleaner surfaces for cyclists and walkers.

Nick Smith, British Waterways external funding officer said the scheme involves surfacing 1.2km of towpath between Higher Shuttleworth and Manchester Road.

He added: "This stretch of towpath has recently been upgraded and stoned as part of a £180,000 repairs programme, which has improved the lifespan and safety of the embankment.

"This funding will now add value to the project and complete the works to a higher standard."

The earlier works involved embankment strengthening, vegetation clearance and permanent mooring bollards.

Projects have been completed in Brierfield and Barrowford to clean up the canal environment and plans for a new housing complex, near Burnley's Straight Mile section of the waterway, have been unveiled.