Boats have sailed under the railway bridge at Ocean for the first time in 70 years.

Members of canal-based charity Cotswold Boatmobility made the inaugural trip as they passed along The Stroudwater Canal in three stable catamaran canoes called katakanus.

But it was an unplanned christening.

The bridge near Stonehouse was previously too narrow for boats to pass under it. But it was replaced between Christmas and New Year by Network Rail on behalf of the Cotswold Canals Connected partnership.

The charity, which provides accessible boating for people with mobility or learning disabilities along The Stroudwater Canal, was out for a regular trip when they realised they no longer needed to cut their journey short.

Jan Thomas, chair of Cotswold Boatmobility, said: "We didn't actually plan to be the first boats under the Ocean railway bridge, it happened by accident.

"Now the Ocean has been refilled we were simply returning to our usual trip of sailing under the Ocean swing bridge, then turning around. However, once we were there, we realised we could get underneath the new bridge - so we carried on."

The group included residents from care homes in Stonehouse and Nailsworth, a 13-year-old and Cotswold Boatmobility volunteers. They appeared to receive a playful salute from some bridge workers standing on the banks.

Chris Mitford-Slade, project director of Cotswold Canals Connected, said: "I am delighted that it was members of Cotswold Boatmobility who were the first boats to sail under the new Ocean railway bridge as they provide a valuable service in ensuring the canal is accessible to many people who wouldn't otherwise be able to enjoy it."

Deborah Elliott, project manager for Network Rail, said: "This has been an exciting and rewarding project and it's great to see all our hard work coming to fruition. It was a joy to watch Cotswold Boatmobility paddle up the canal and underneath the new bridge."

Cotswold Canals Connected is a partnership of organisations that are restoring the canal network. Phase 1A, which is now complete, restored the section between Stonehouse and Thrupp. Phase 1B, which includes the works at Ocean railway bridge, will restore a further four-mile section between Stonehouse and Saul Junction providing a connection to the national waterway network.

Canal volunteers will soon begin work on the towpath between Ocean and Bonds Mill, replacing the path, installing edging, and cutting back overgrown vegetation. It is due to finish mid-May, allowing the towpath to re-open. Until then an alternative walking and cycling route will continue.