£1.3m coast-to-coast canoe trail going through Burnley and Blackburn being planned

The 150-mile trail will follow the Leeds-Liverpool canal then link into the Aire and Calder Navigation in Yorkshire and finally reach the east coast at Goole.

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Greg Brookes is in charge of creating the canoe trail, England’s first, over the next five years.

He said: “Our plan is to engage with up to 10,000 young people and their families through a series of Canoe Action Squads.

“We are in danger of creating a lost generation of young people trapped in a time bomb of poor health and low self-esteem.”

Funded by a £1.3 million grant from the Desmond Foundation, the aim of the project is to create healthier communities, develop employment opportunities and leave a lasting legacy.

In the first year, the programme will concentrate on Liverpool to Burscough; in the second, Wigan to Blackburn; the third Burnley to Skipton; and Leeds to Goole will be in the last two years.

The trail will not be for the faint-hearted and will involve carrying canoes around 91 locks, including the 21-lock Wigan flight.

Greg, a former senior youth worker with Warrington Youth Service, said: “A recent report identified that only 15 per cent of girls and 28 per cent of boys achieve the recommended level of physical activity and 37 per cent are overweight or obese.

“Canals are not just for narrowboats. Canoeing is becoming an increasingly popular activity on our waterways. Even in urban areas, canoeing offers the chance to enjoy the great outdoors and have fun at the same time as getting fit and healthy.”

Greg will be joined by Andrew Blackburn, who has recently led Raleigh International expeditions to Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Borneo.

Richard Atkinson, a member of the Canal an River Trust North West Waterway Partnership, said: “We are very grateful to the Desmond Foundation for funding this fantastic initiative.”

To get involved contact Greg by calling 07919 691169 or emailing coastto.coast@canalrivertrust.org.uk.