Boat owners in Bradford on Avon have found themselves stuck in the mud after a pump failure led to low water levels along the Kennet and Avon Canal.

British Waterways, which has been carrying out repairs at the lock near Frome Road this week, is calling on boaters to help conserve water.

As well as sharing locks, boaters are asked to make sure the lock paddles are fully lowered to prevent unnecessary leakage and that local signs and advice are followed.

Will Burnish, of British Waterways, said “Bradford on Avon is a critical point on the canal for us.

“We have two pumps here and with one of them down, we just cannot get the water from below the lock pumped back up to the upper wharf as quickly as we’d like to.

“We’re doing everything we can to get the pump mended as soon as possible, but in the meantime, if boaters can help us by sharing locks it will really help.”