A BRIDGE on the Worcester to Birmingham Canal has been re-opened after a renovation by British Waterways.

The Chairman of the Restoration Committee of the Inland Waterways Association, Tony Harrison reopened Bridge 50 off Upper Gambolds Lane near Bromsgrove.

Yesterday's event was organised by the Worcester Birmingham Canal Society to mark a partnership between the society and the Inland Waterways Association that achieved this work.

Two years ago, Bridge 50 was in very poor condition, and in February last year, society members and a number of volunteers for the Droitwich Canals Trust spent two weekends clearing vegetation.

The following summer the local British Waterways team repaired the brickwork, rebuilt the parapet walls and installed new copings.

"The job cost £20,000 in all, funded mostly through British Waterways with a grant from Inland Waterways going towards replacing sandstone," said Neil Bedford, waterways supervisor.