A SECTION of canal in Newport completely dried up after almost a month without rain.

The stretch of canal in Rogerstone, between Pontymason Lane and the border with Caerphilly council, is so dry it is possible to walk on the canal bed in places.

Caerphilly council is carrying out repair and maintenance work to fix a huge water leak on their section of the canal at Manor Road.

To do this they have diverted the canal off at Manor Road and dammed it at the border with Newport, leaving the water level low.

As a result the hot weather and lack of rain has led to the Rogerstone section drying up.

Residents have expressed concern about the state of the canal and its wildlife.

Barrie Lewin, 67, a retired engineer of Ruskin Avenue, Rogerstone, walks the canal every weekend and most days during the summer.

He said: "We have had dry summers and the canal has gone down but it has never been as dry as it is now.

"I'm sure this will have a detrimental effect on the wildlife."

Chris Morgan, chairman of the Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canal Trust, said the problems have stopped them running boat trips on the Rogerstone section.

He added: "This is something the locals have got to put up with for a couple of months at least."

Caerphilly council started work to fix the leak last Autumn at a cost of £250,000.

A spokesman said: "We have been liaising with Newport council on the issue and we are endeavouring to progress the works as quickly as possible."

Torfaen, Newport and Caerphilly councils, the Canal Trust and British Waterways are applying for £25 million of Big Lottery funding to restore key stretches of the canal.