Oarsome time down on canal

Hundreds of families turned out to put fitness first this week with the Rochdale Canal Festival providing a free outdoor sporting extravaganza.

With a week-long line-up to enjoy, families braved the less than perfect English summer to take part in biking and canoeing, angling and allotment cultivating, and fitness walks from Chadderton.

Oldham council organiser, Anne Bates, said: “The response from people has been fantastic and all the activities have been fully subscribed.

“People were pleased to actually see things happening on the canal and it really has offered them a large variety of activities.” Taster canoe sessions were a star attraction, with family groups using their paddles to find their way around Failsworth canal basin for the first time.

The annual festival, organised by the Waterways Trust in conjunction with Oldham Council, runs until this Sunday, with further events planned.

Anne Bates said: “The aim is to try and get people out and about. The festival shows people that they can enjoy the area in many different ways.”

Events tomorrow include a walk from Failsworth. Call Gaynor on 0787 0857972 for more information.