CHILDREN from across Winsford will line the River Weaver when British actor and canal boat enthusiast Timothy West open's town’s new marina.

The marina works is the culmination of a two-year project by Winsford Town Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council in partnership with the River Weaver Navigation Society.

As part of the drive to develop Winsford as a boating destination, the project has seen the creation of attractive moorings for up to 50 narrowboats.

The acclaimed actor will officially open Winsford Marina at 2pm on Saturday, April 30.

A spokesman for Winsford Town Council said: “Timothy, himself an avid waterways enthusiast, will join a flotilla of around 15 narrowboats which will set off from the Anderton Boatlift in Northwich at 10am, before arriving at the Winsford Marina at around 1.30pm.

“He will then formally open the new marina by unveiling a commemorative lock gate set pointing towards the source of the River Weaver, which is in the Peckforton Hills.”

To celebrate the opening of the Winsford Marina, an hour-long programme of entertainment is planned.

Starting at 1pm, children from Willow Wood Primary School will sing a selection of songs, followed by Morris Dancing displays by the Mersey Morris Men.

Youngsters from Grange Primary School will treat spectators to a traditional Maypole dance before children from Willow Wood, Over St John’s and Darnhall Primary schools line the river bank to sing songs of welcome as the flotilla sails past.

Timothy will formally open the Marina at 2pm, followed by a reception at the nearby Red Lion Inn.

Timothy and his wife Prunella Scales have been keen boating enthusiasts for many years, and took to the waterways to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.

They embarked on what became a hugely popular series of programmes that saw them cruising in many exciting areas, sharing a passion that they've enjoyed for decades.

Their trips included London's Lost Route to the Sea, Birmingham to Braunston, the Shannon and Erne Waterway, Llangollen Canal, Canal du Midi, Canal du Nivernais and the Forth and Clyde and Union Canals traversing the impressive Falkirk Wheel.