THE Canal and River Trust is launching a major fundraising appeal to restore or replace missing mileposts along the 127 mile Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
The charity hopes the EveryMileCounts appeal - which coincides with the canal's 200th anniversary - will encourage groups and individuals to adopt their local stretch of canal and its mile marker.
The project is backed by the Heritage Lottery Fund, whose grant of £36,600 has supported the appointment of a new project officer, the making of 40 new mile posts and a programme of activities.
About a third of the original 127-mile posts are missing or severely damaged, 89 need repainting and around 75 needed new number plates.
Although the canal is 200 years old, the original cast iron mile markers date back to the 1890s. They were installed as a response to legislation introduced to regulate canal freight tolls, which prompted the whole of the canal to be re-surveyed and for new mile, half-mile and quarter-mile posts to be installed along the towpaths.
The first newly-restored milepost will be unveiled near Skipton by town mayor Gordon Bell on Friday.
Any organisation or volunteer interested in getting involved should contact project officer Alice Kay via email at alice.kay@canalrivertrust.org.uk
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