A FESTIVAL is set to bring thousands of people to the Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canal when it comes to Newport again this spring.

Preparations for the three-day Welsh Waterways Festival 2010 and IWA National Trailboat Festival at Kimberley Park have been under way for more than a year, including work to reopen over two miles of waterways and locks between Torfaen and Newport.

Organisers are now encouraging boat owners to come forward and enter their boats into the festival between May 29 and 31.

The last festival held in Gwent in 2004 attracted 40 boats and more than 12,000 visitors, and organisers hope to repeat that success later this year.

Efforts to improve the canal began in January 2008 with funding provided by Newport city council.

All the work has been carried out by volunteers from the local community, and will allow boat owners to sail on a newly reopened stretch of water from Pentre Lane in Torfaen, to Barrack Hill in Newport and on to Waen Lock near Crumlin.

Volunteers have also finish building a new slipway at Bettws Lane in Newport and made sure sections of the canal above Malpas Lock are clear to let boats through.

Goff Barker from the Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canal Trust said: “For the boaters it will be a great opportunity to see newly restored parts of the canal. For other visitors there will be lots of activities to enjoy on what is really a lovely stretch of water.”

Mr Barker added there would also be two boats on the river each day of the festival giving tourists on foot a chance to see the canal from the best vantage point.

Entry to the public is free, and for a full programme of events or to enter your boat in to the festival contact Chris Morgan on 029 2088 8681 or visit www.mon-brec-canal-trust.org.uk