A Wiltshire waterway could be brought back to life more quickly if additional helpers are recruited during National Volunteer Week between June 1 and 7.

The Wilts and Berks Canal Trust, which is restoring the former waterway from the Kennet and Avon Canal near Melksham to the Thames and Severn Canal near Cricklade and the River Thames near Abingdon, hopes to recruit more supporters to help with a variety of tasks.

Aside from work parties which restore the towpaths, bridges, culverts and wharves, the charity also needs help with fundraising, administration and research.

Businesses can get involved by taking part in team challenges, where staff spend the day out of the office – clearing undergrowth, removing obstacles and digging out the former canal bed.

Local branches in need of support include Melksham, Chippenham and Calne, Foxham and Lyneham, and Royal Wootton Bassett.

Trust chairman John Laverick said: “We have lots of enthusiastic volunteers, of all ages and backgrounds, who generously give up their evenings and weekends to support the restoration campaign.

“Some have full-time jobs and can only spare a few hours a month, others are retired or unemployed and therefore get involved during the week as well.

“We have teachers, students, farmers, engineers and other occupations, all sharing a common wish to bring the Wilts & Berks back to life.

“They have already made an incredible amount of progress, dredging empty canal beds and filling them with water again to provide an important wildlife haven, as well as a popular attraction for walkers and cyclists.

“They design information boards, plant trees, organise fundraising events, submit applications for grants, give presentations to local groups, and help with research into the history of the waterway. But we could achieve so much more if we could spread the workload more evenly, perhaps recruiting enough volunteers to begin projects in other areas which haven’t been touched yet.”

The canal will eventually connect Chippenham, Calne, Royal Wootton Bassett and Swindon.

Visit www.wbct.org.uk for more information.