THE Wilts and Berks Canal restoration project is preparing to celebrate its 25th birthday with a colourful boat rally.

The Trust plans to breathe new life back into its former trailboat festival which was last held in Wiltshire back in 1998.

World famous adventurer David Hempleman-Adams will open next month's event at Wootton Bassett.

The colourful Wiltshire Waterways Festival is due to be held over the weekend of June 14 to 16 along the picturesque one-mile restored stretch of the Wilts and Berks Canal at Templars Firs on the southern edge of the town where thousands of visitors are expected.

Plans include trade, craft and charity stalls, displays and entertainers, tethered hot air balloons, pony rides, food, drink and live music as well as boats of all shapes and sizes. Highlights will include an illuminated boat parade and waterbike and bathtub races powered by Wiltshire schools and youth clubs. Visitors can go on mini-cruises and stroll up to nearby restoration site of Summit Lock.

There will also be secure mooring, camping and caravaning facilities and a slipway for boaters to launch their craft.

Co-ordinator Harry Bromley hopes the event will raise much-needed funds for the canal's continuing restoration.

Volunteers from branches all along the former route have offered their support to mark the 25th birthday of the charity since it was formed in 1977.

Harry, from Swindon, said: "I hope the special nature of the event will attract a crowd of some 10,000 visitors over the weekend.

"The Wiltshire Waterways Festival will be hugely entertaining and underline the delights of a fully restored canal and its leisure, environmental and economic opportunities.

"It will bring huge benefits to walkers, riders, cyclists and anglers as well as boaters, extending the navigable system and promoting rural and small town regeneration.

"We are hoping to see vast crowds at the festival next month anyone who shares our vision is more than welcome to join us."

Potential boat-owners and stall-holders should call Harry Bromley on 01793 344220 or Janet Flanagan on 01793 523048.