Hard working volunteers have been rewarded with a prestigious prize for their efforts restoring a historic Wiltshire canal.

The Melksham, Chippenham and Calne branch of the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust has received the Tony Davy Award.

The engraved crystal – named after the charity’s first chairman – is won by the branch with the highest number of hours donated by volunteers during the previous year.

Local supporters work-ed on almost 130 days during 2012/13, providing almost 9,000 hours of free labour.

The branch is focusing its efforts on the former stretch of canal between Melksham and Chippenham, dredging the canal and widening the towpath.

Branch chairman Derek Flexer said: “This latest accolade is evidence of the strength of local support for the canal restoration campaign. It is a real tribute to the commitment of everyone involved in our local projects.”

See www.melkshamwaterway.org.uk