THE River Weaver is getting the full public relations treatment.

Campaign group, the River Weaver Navigation Society (RWNS), has launched a new website to promote the 40-mile waterway, with information for residents and visitor on all the ways to make the most of what campaigners have dubbed ‘Cheshire’s greatest untapped tourist asset’.

The website includes guides to the river’s recreational facilities such as paddle boarding and fishing, heritage preservation, wildlife habitats, economic flourishing, as well as information on flood mitigation strategies.

RWNS is 'passionate about maximising the potential of the river', says communications officer, Jerry Marshall, fuelling their work with public and voluntary sector partners to help realise their vision of an attractive, vibrant environment for all Weaver Valley residents and visitors.

 Jerry added: "We’d love people to come and visit this beautiful part of Cheshire and enjoy the river, whether that’s on a paddle board or a canoe, or a boat, or walking and cycling.

"We wanted to have a site which would communicate the breadth of our involvement and be a useful resource for both local residents and potential visitors to the Weaver.

"We’ve included information we thought would be helpful, having done all those things ourselves.

"The Weaver is special in lots of ways. There’s its historical interest, of which Anderton Boat Lift, an extraordinary piece of engineering, is the prime example, and the history of benefiting the region economically over many centuries.

"It’s also a very beautiful river. There are parts which are built up and industrial, but there are stretches as beautiful as any river in the country."

Jerry said RWNS's ultimate goal is to help rekindle a love of the river, and eventually, for it to take centre stage in the area's tourist economy. 

He added: "One the whole, the towns have turned their backs on the river. Historically, its been smelly and unpleasant, so that’s understandable.

"But imagine what Northwich would be like if it could emulate Stratford-upon-Avon or Cambridge, which boats for hire, many leisure activities, and a beautiful riverfront with shops facing water rather than facing away.

"That’s the dream we want to work towards."