IT is not for me to educate Neil Lofthouse (Letters, April 21) as to the facts relating to 'British Waterways,' but...

1. The canal and the towpath are private property and no-one is allowed on it without permission from British Waterways.

2. A user of the canal has to have a licence, which entitles them to sail on the canal. They may moor on the towpath for not for longer than 48 hours.

3. Fishermen are required to have a licence, to walk on the towpath and position themselves to fish.

4. Any other people on this private property would be trespassing and, if they sustained injury while on this land, would have no claim against British Waterways.

SID COBB, Manchester Road, Accrington.