AMBITIOUS plans to restore the historic waterways of Droitwich Spa took a giant leap forward thanks to a £4.6 million cash boost from the lottery.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) agreed to a grant of £4,658,000 towards the re-opening of Droitwich Barge and Junction Canals on Friday. The money will provide more than a third of the £11.2 million needed to restore the waterways.

Plans include the creation of a 21-mile cruising ring, linking the Worcester and Birmingham Canal in the east and the navigable River Severn in the west. It will also play a key role in the redevelopment of Droitwich town centre with plans for a two-acre canalside and marina.

James Thompson, Droitwich project manager for British Waterways, said: "This is brilliant news for everyone - volunteers, local communities and businesses - who have all worked hard to make the restoration of Droitwich canals a reality."

He estimates that within five years the restored canal could attract up to 330,000 new visits a year and generate an additional annual spend of £2.75 million within the local economy.

Droitwich MP Peter Luff, who is vice-chairman of the Droitwich Canals Trust added: "This generous but richly deserved grant should guarantee the re-opening of these historic canals - and provide improved public access, education and training facilities too."

He said he would continue his work to see the rest of the money needed is secured, which includes pledged funding of £2 million from Wychavon district and Worcester county councils as well as cash from Advantage West Midlands.

Canal trust chairman Margaret Rowley added: "Full restoration will be a climax to the dedicated work carried out by the trust's volunteers over the last thirty years."

Trust economic development director Pam Davey also expressed her delight. "During my 16 years as a director of the trust I have seen a lot of good work done by our volunteers to improve the canal, despite the disappointment of failing to secure the major grant funding to re-open."

The project is backed strongly by British Waterways, The Waterways Trust, Droitwich Canals Trust, Wychavon District Council and Worcestershire County Council.