RESIDENTS and boat owners have backed a campaign to restore the banks of an 18th century canal hit by ash dieback disease.

The Canal & River Trust said the £1,000 donated to a fundraising appeal for Ripon Canal, which traditionally was used to transport lead and agricultural produce from the Yorkshire Dales, will fund the planting of 11 field maple trees, an oak tree and around 100 hawthorn whips.

The whips will be used to fill gaps in hedges to ensure a continuity of habitats for the wildlife, flora and fauna that have always colonised the canal.

The trust, which took over the running of 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales from British Waterways in July 2012, launched an appeal in July last year to replace trees between Renton Bridge and Oxclose Lock which have died due to ash dieback or old age.

Jonathan Hart-Woods, environment manager for the trust, said: “Originally the plan was to replant the area with ash trees, but the ash dieback disease meant we had to change our planting plans for the canal.

“To help us deliver the improvements we’ve attracted some great volunteer support which will help keep the canal a real attraction for Ripon residents and people who visit here.”

In recognition to the work the trust’s waterway operative Julie Freytag has put in over more than 20 years on the canal, an oak tree has also been planted.

To donate to the trust text TRUST to 70007. Anyone interested in volunteering can email claire.mcdonald@canalrivertrust.org.uk or call 0303-040-4040.

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