A CHANCE for people to try their hand at driving narrowboats for free will come to stretch of waterway near Whitchurch next month.

Anglo Welsh, which runs canal boat holidays, is hosting an day at its base in Whixall Marina on Thursday, June 2 to coincide with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend.

The event will run from 10am to 4pm, and each trip will be 30 minutes with visitors getting the chance to skipper the boat.

Emma Lovell, bookings manager for Anglo Welsh, said she hopes the open will inspire people to come back.

She said: "We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to our open day at Whixall Marina, on the first day of the bank holiday weekend celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, to enjoy spending time by the water and a free taster session on aboard one of our day boats.

"Research shows that people feel happier and more relaxed by the water, so a day afloat on Britain’s beautiful inland waterways is a great way to spend time with friends or family.

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"We hope visitors to our open day will be inspired to come back and spend a day on one of our day boats, enjoying cruising through stretches of beautiful countryside and a pub lunch or picnic along the way.

"Full tuition is included in our day boat hire package, so it’s a great opportunity for those new to canal boating to get the hang of steering, mooring up and working the locks.

"All our day boats are equipped with cutlery, crockery, a kettle, fridge, cooker and a toilet.

"Our day boats are suitable for up to 10 passengers.

"Up to two dogs are welcome on board, but they count as passengers.

"Prices start from £10 per person."

Anglo Welsh is one of the largest canal boat hire operators in the UK offering over 160 canal boats for hire from 11 bases across England and Wales with accommodation for between two and 12 people.

For more information about Anglo Welsh's open day events, day boat hire and holidays visit www.anglowelsh.co.uk or call the bookings team on 0117 304 1122.