A canal craft owner escaped unhurt after his boat sank in the Kennet & Avon Canal in Bradford on Avon last night.

The man was rescued but it is believed his boat is a write-off and he has lost everything he owned.

He was travelling towards Bath when his 25-feet fibreglass boat entered the lock at the canal wharf and then sank.

His boat has blocked the lock near the B3109 Frome Road and the Lock Inn. Other canal users will be unable to pass through until the boat is refloated in the morning.

Fire crews from Bradford on Avon and Trowbridge, plus a specialist water rescue unit from Trowbridge fire station, were called out to assist but were unable to remove the boat.

The accident happened between 7pm and 8pm as the man was heading towards Bath.

It is understood he was planning to moor up between Bradford on Avon and Avoncliff.

More to follow