Over the summer waterway lovers across the nation have been nominating blooming boats and glorious gardens for special prizes. The top three in each category are now being put up for public vote.
The categories include: most edible boat; most flower-filled boat; most inventive use of space; best towpath garden or open space; best towpath business in bloom; and best wildlife friendly boat or towpath garden.
People can cast their vote online at Boats in Bloom or on our Facebook page.
Matthew Symonds, our boating manager, said: "Our Boats in Bloom awards are a way of saying thank you to all our boaters and towpath gardeners who are putting a smile on people's faces with their green fingers.
"The Canal & River Trust works hard to keep the canals open for people to enjoy and it's fantastic to see how boaters have been turning their vessels into mini oases, while many waterside businesses are festooned in flowers. We've had entries from London to Yorkshire and it's clear that the gardening bug is alive and well on our waterways. Please take a look and vote for your favourite from our shortlist!
"Every blooming boat – from those that keep a pot of herbs or daffodils on deck to those that are covered in plants – brings a little bit of joy to the towpath. Well done and thank you to every boater and waterside gardener – you really make a difference."
Our lock keepers and other staff and volunteers, who look after 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales, have also been presenting colourful certificates to anyone whose boat or waterside planting is putting a smile on the faces of passers-by.
