THE group which maintains Black Country canals is appealing for people to c-lock on for a summer of volunteer work.

The Canal and River Trust is looking for lock keepers to work on waterways around the West Midlands including the Dudley No. 1 canal.

Volunteers will be asked to be available for one or two days per week between March and October, no experience is necessary as full training will be provided.

Peter Mathews CMG, chairman of the West Midlands waterways partnership for the Canal and River Trust, said: “The canals in Birmingham and the Black Country are beautiful places to visit and work along. Rich in industrial heritage, the canals in the midlands were once packed with boats transporting goods such as coal and cotton to and from London and the lock keepers job was to manage the traffic and collect tolls from the traders.

“Today's lock keepers do not have as difficult a time as their early predecessors. These days, hauling heavy lock gates open by hand, defending yourself against river pirates and fighting off toll thieves are not part of the job description.”

For more information or to become a Volunteer Lock Keeper visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/volunteer