The Cotswold Canals Trust is heading for troubled waters during the coronavirus lockdown.

Due to the COVID-19 situation, on March 20 the trust asked its volunteers to close the bookshop, the visitor centres, batten down the hatches on the trip boats and secure the maintenance depots.

These are really difficult times for everyone, especially those who are isolated and missing their families. The trust says that its volunteers are no exception, more than 89 per cent are over 70, many of whom have been restoring the canal corridor for decades.

Last year they gave the community over 33,700 hours of their time to clear towpaths, restore bridges, locks and dredge the canal.

Every week of the lockdown, the charity is losing £2,500 from a lack of boat trips and sales in its charity book shop, visitor centres and log sales.

Cotswold Canals Trust said COVID-19 is threatening to undo all the good work of its dedicated volunteers.

It now needs to raise money to ensure it can stay afloat. 

Once the lockdown is over and the charity can safely resume activities it said it will need cash to pay the bills and buy safe equipment and fuel.

The charity is encouraging anyone who wants to see the canal restoration continue to provide a place for the community to connect to make a donation here or to call Cotswold Canals Trust on 01453 752568.