NEW lock gates on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal were spectacularly hoisted into place by a 20-ton crane.

The new gates, at lock 59 on the Johnson's Hillock flight of seven locks at Wheelton, are being installed as part of a range of improvements costing £60,000.

Work on the gates is due to be completed by the middle of next month.

British Waterways spokesman Guy Lawson said: "There are more people using the canal system now than they used to. At one time there was very little traffic.

"It is good to see so many people using them but it does mean there is much more wear and tear on the locks."

The new gates are made of oak and were constructed by craftsmen using specialist techniques.

The tailgates were built at the British Waterways repair yard in Northwich, while the headgates were made for British Waterways by Yorkshire-based contractor CTS.

British Waterways is also constructing a new toilet block beside lock number 58 on the canal, at a cost of £40,000.

The new block will offer a range of facilities for boaters, including disabled access toilets, showers, messroom and pump-out facilities.

Work is expected to be completed by the beginning of April.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.