Lack of rain brings canal closure

Part of one of England's major canals is having to be closed because of a lack of water.

British Waterways said low rainfall means the summit of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal between Greenberfield and Gargrave will shut next Friday.

This part of North Yorkshire has had its driest summer since 1933, with just over half the usual rainfall.

The rest of the canal will remain open and there are ways round the closed section by using other waterways.

Laurence Morgan, from British Waterways, said: "We have been monitoring the situation very closely for the past few weeks, and despite our best efforts, there has been no improvement and water stocks in our reservoirs are very low.

"It will be the first time since 1995 that we have had to temporarily close this section of canal."