children from across Worcestershire are learning about the history of Droitwich's waterways thanks to a special project.

Nine local schools are being shown around Droitwich Barge Canal to learn about why canals were built, what is important about them today and about the canal restoration project in Droitwich.

Children are also being given the chance to have a go at canoeing in Katukanus, take part in an engineering workshop to learn how to build their own canal and arched bridge and investigate some canal habitats for themselves to determine what actually lives there.

The trips are funded by Droitwich Town Council from Awards for All, and form part of the three-year Canal Restoration Project.

Participating schools include St Peter's First School, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School and Chawson Community First School.

Worcestershire County Council Education Centre staff are running the habitat investigation sessions, while canoeing activities will be led by Wychavon District Council, and the building bridges and canals workshops will be run by Droitwich Canals Trust. British Waterways are responsible for the overall management of the school events planned for the summer.

James Thompson, project manager of the Droitwich Canal Restoration Project's events for schools, said: "It is wonderful to see all members of the restoration partnership working together to deliver great opportunities for local school children to learn more about their local canal and have fun. This is just one of the new range of activities taking place around the Droitwich Canal."

All the youngsters attending the canal restoration events will receive health and safety instruction and be taught the importance of staying away from the canal's edge at all times.

They will be using the resources from the WOW website, which encourages young people to use the local waterways safely.