KIDDERMINSTER will be pushing the boat out to host its first Canal Festival this summer.

The canalside will come to life from Thursday, August 19 to Saturday, August 21 and residents and visitors are invited to the town centre to join the fun. Boat owners can also visit and moor up over the festival period.

Festivities will be centered on the canal at Weavers Wharf and will include the Dreamcatcher passenger barge, offering trips along the canal and the Scorpio working heritage boat, giving visitors the chance to explore the local industrial heritage of the canals.

A number of trade boats, including The Cheese Boat, will also be moored in the town, selling goods from the waterside.

Local performers will showcase their talent at the entertainment stage, which will be set up close to the canal.

A European market will add to the atmosphere, offering continental goods and Kidderminster’s regular town market will be extended to the Friday and Saturday.

For people who like to explore the area, Wyre Forest District Council’s walking co-ordinator will be guiding walks of the canalside around the town.

The event is a part of the ReWyre Regeneration Initiative, which aims to improve the canalside areas in the town centre.

The festival is part of a programme to improve the canal and has so far resulted in canal clean-up days and a canal tunnel art project earlier this year.

Conservative councillor, Stephen Clee, the district council's cabinet member for planning and economic regeneration, said: "This festival is an excellent way to celebrate the canals and help to re-establish their importance in relationship with the heritage of Kidderminster.

“The canals have been an under-utilised feature of Kidderminster over recent years and our aim is to bring them back to life. We want to see boaters, locals and visitors enjoying this part of the canal network and encourage them to come and spend time in Kidderminster."

The festival coincides with Kidderminster Arts Festival, which features a fun-packed programme of events throughout August.

People can find out more about the events at wyreforestdc.gov.uk