Illuminated success for Foxton Locks

The event saw over a mile of twinkling festive Christmas lights light up the locks and towpath. Along with illuminated boats, a pyrotechnics display with a giant fire sculpture and lantern making in the Boiler House Museum.

The winner of the ‘Best Dressed Boat' and a £250 voucher, which was kindly donated Grand Union Narrowboats, was Bev Ardley owner of Ardley Moving.

Foxton Locks is home to a staircase of 10 locks that enables boats to navigate up and down the hill at Foxton. Built in 1815 the locks are 200 years old and around 4,000 boats travel through this famous flight each year. The site is also home to the now disused boat lift, which was originally designed to speed up travel through the locks before it fell into disuse in 1911.

Vicky Martin, from the Canal & River Trust, said: "This is the first time we've held an illuminated boat festival at Foxton and everyone who came along had a good time. The festival would not have been possible without hard work of over 20 volunteers, who generously gave up their time to help. It was wonderful to see the local community come out and enjoy the festivities."