WALKERS can glimpse a rare occurrence on the River Severn, in Worcester, as engineers work on replacing lock gates at Diglis Basin.

British Waterways staff have been on site since the beginning of this month and are busy taking out the old four huge lock gates - which weigh 2 tonnes apiece - at the two locks in the basin.

Gates are replaced once every 25 years or so and the engineers have already changed the first two lock barriers.

Work is expected to be complete on the remaining lock by the beginning of next week.

"It's not really a regular occurrence because they are made to last a long time these days," said British Waterways spokeswoman Vicky Blower.

"It's not a problem there though - it's just something we do to make sure they're all working safely."