PLANS for canals in Wiltshire will be under the spotlight at a conference today.

The 67-mile Wilts and Berks canal is the link between the Kennet and Avon canal, the Cotswold Canal and the River Thames.

Six major engineering studies have been carried out and a new route has been determined which could see the link restored for the first time in a 100 years.

The next step is how to restore the canal, which will be the subject of the third annual Wilts and Berks canal conference at Bowood House near Calne.

The deputy leader of North Wiltshire District Council, Coun Doreen Darby, chairwoman of the Wilts and Berks Canal Partnership said: "Major engineering reports are emerging to determine the linkages at priority locations such as Melksham, Cricklade, Swindon and Abingdon.

"This is obviously a long-term project but we are increasingly confident of moving forward until we restore this continuous waterway of local and national importance."

The partnership includes North Wiltshire Council, British Waterways and

Special guests at the event include Viscountess Knollys, chairwoman of the Government's Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Committee and Dr Dave Fletcher, retired British Waterways chief executive and Canal Trust president.