The owner of an eco-friendly boat hire company in Droitwich admitted she had "no idea" they had been recognised amongst the UK's best.

Cafwin Cruises was recognised by The Telegraph in May as one of the country's best eco-friendly boat companies but its owner, Catherine Armstrong, only found out last week.

Mrs Armstrong said: "I was having a coffee with my friend when she brought it up and showed me the article - I couldn't believe it!"

Catherine's two narrowboats, named Arthur Owl and Ollie Owl, can be rented by holidaymakers for seven days or more from their moorings in Droitwich Spa Marina.

She added: "I've always had a policy of being as eco-friendly as possible, so I provide environmentally friendly toiletries and cleaning products for each booking.

"Arthur Owl is diesel powered, so he isn't so eco-friendly at the moment, but Ollie Owl is an electric-hybrid boat.

"In fact, we were the first hire boat company in England to rent out an electric-hybrid narrow boat.

"I leased Ollie Owl initially for a year in March 2022, and he was so popular that when I got an offer to purchase him I just couldn't refuse.

"At the end of this season, I have arranged for Arthur Owl to be taken out of the water and he will be renovated and turned into an electric-hybrid too."

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Cafwin Cruises' boats are suitable for booking groups of two to six people, and each guest receives plenty of training even before they step onboard.

Mrs Armstrong added: "I send pre-training materials, including videos, and our average in-person handover to the guest is around three hours.

"We stay with them through at least three locks as they leave Droitwich Marina,  but we will stay with them longer if necessary.

"It's a relaxing style of holiday, but you do need to know what you're doing and you have to have your wits about you."

Why are canal boat holidays becoming popular then? Mrs Armstrong added: "One of the biggest draws is the ability to moor up almost anywhere and stop in a different location every night."