British Waterways has increased volunteering by 67 per cent since last year.

Members of the public spent 24,234 days working with British Waterways to keep canals and rivers clean and tidy compared to fewer than 15,000 last year.

New opportunities for volunteering have been developed over the past year including the Waterways Action Squad run with the Waterways Trust for 16 to 25 year olds in the North West.

The figures come as the organisation prepares to become a national trust style charity and take full guardianship of British Waterways’ canals and rivers in 2012. 

Edward Moss, national volunteering manager for British Waterways said: “The hard work, skills and enthusiasm our volunteers bring is incredibly valuable, and I am positive that when we become the new waterways charity in 2012 we will benefit immensely from their passion and knowledge.”