SAILORS in Foulridge will be cracking open the champagne on Sunday to celebrate finally getting back on the water -- after reservoir levels fell too low.

Burwain Sailing Club has been unable to operate for more than a month after low rainfall meant there was not enough water to keep boats afloat.

Fishermen have also been struggling to pursue their pastime.

In September, British Waterways asked sailors not to use vessels on the neighbouring Leeds and Liverpool Canal because the water levels were way too low.

But now the recent deluge has topped the reservoir up and the club's 130 members have planned a champagne day to celebrate.

Commodore Peter Dewhurst said: "We've had to suspend sailing for about a month and we're starting again on Sunday, so we're going to have a special celebration.

"It's been really bad. There's not enough water for sports like sailing. It's affected the fishermen a lot as well."

He added: "Most of the reservoirs are drinking reservoirs but we're a canal feeder and there's a lot of usage on the canal.

"But we've put a lot of investment into our facility and we can't use it. It's filling up now.

"We're having a champagne day so whoever wins the race wins champagne. We're making it a sort of comeback to celebrate our return to the water."

Burwain Sailing Club races every Wednesday night, as well as Saturday and Sunday afternoons, between March and December on the 90-acre lake.

Foulridge reservoir was built in 1797 and holds more than 372million gallons. Depths range from four feet to 30ft.

A spokeswoman for British Waterways was unable to explain why the water level at Foulridge had been so low.