Cumbria County Council will continue to send disabled people on canal boating holidays despite the tragic quadruple tragedy at Gargrave last week.

Four people from the Mill Lane Centre died when their narrow boat sank in Stegneck Lock on the Leeds to Liverpool Canal on Wednesday.

County spokesman Brian Hough said there were no plans to abandon boating trips. He said Mill Lane staff had been organising similar trips for several years without incident.

"People with learning difficulties need these activities so they can live as full a life as possible," he said.

"It is very disturbing for them if their routine is suddenly interrupted especially on short notice with reasons they cannot fully comprehend.

"We are not making any rash decisions about cancelling anything."

Mr Hough said families across the county would be given the option of sending their relatives on such trips. The county is organising a memorial service at St James' Church in Barrow for the end of September.

County social service committee chairman Anne Burns said it would celebrate the four victims lives. It would also allow the families to grieve privately at the funerals this week.

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