THE final boat left stranded by the canal collapse in Middlewich earlier this year has been lifted to safety today, Friday.

The Jess Talisman narrowboat is the last of more than a dozen to be relocated after around 70 metres of the Shropshire Union Canal, Middlewich Branch collapsed late at night on March 15.

Belonging to Peter Booth, the Jess Talisman was moored just yards from the breach when it opened up.

Contractors working with the Canal and River Trust have had to construct a special temporary road in the bed of the canal.

A special low-loader, equipped with a crane, then drove into the canal bed and winched out the boat. It was then taken on the low-loader to a nearby marina.

Preparatory work to repair the canal breach is nearly complete and the main work is expected to start in mid-July and last until the end of the year.

The emergency repairs are expected to cost in the region of £2.5 to £3 million. The Trust has launched an emergency appeal and so far over £30,000 has been raised.

See canalrivertrust.org.uk for more, or alternatively text LEAK515 to 70070 to donate £5. All donations go directly to repairing the canal.