PRESTON people will soon be able to enjoy a boat trip on a new canal -- the first to be built in Britain for more than 100 years.

The historic Ribble Link canal has been in the making for more than two centuries since a plan was drawn up to connect the man-made waterways of Wigan and Kendal in the Lake District.

But the crucial middle part of the canal, the Preston-based Ribble Link, was never completed due to lack of funds.

Earlier this year, however, the Ribble Link was renamed the Millennium Ribble Link and work started again, now reaching the halfway point.

Lynn Pegler, spokesman for British Waterways, said: "The link will connect the Lancaster Canal, which at the moment stops near the Sports Arena in Cottam, to the rest of the country's canal network, in particular the Leeds and Liverpool canal. It should be a wonderful addition to tourism in Preston, and it will be a lovely sight -- seeing canal boats coming along the link."

The £6 million project should be completed in spring next year and will include a link to let canal boats cross the River Ribble at Lea Marsh. From here the boats will also be able to enter the docks at Riversway.

Originally an aqueduct was planned in 1792, but lack of money meant it was never built.

Instead, a horse drawn tram was used to connect the two halves of the canal.

Lynn Pegler said: "It was always the dream and the intention 200 years ago to connect the two canals with an aqueduct over the Ribble, but eventually the railways took over.

"Now this link will mean that the Lancaster Canal won't be isolated from the rest of the country."

"The link should attract boaters from all around the country, and because the route is being landscaped it should provide new walks too."

bhewes@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk