A POPULAR 'water bus' service is back on the Lancaster Canal - and this time it's here to stay.

More than 1,000 people used the Packet Boat service between the city and Carnforth during a 10-weeks 'pilot' last summer.

It was deemed so successful that the new North Lancashire Canal Partnership - which includes both the Carnforth Area Regeneration Partnership and Lancaster City Council - has given it permanent status.

And funding from the Lancashire Rural Tourism Initiative means a second boat has been launched to draw even more people to the area.

'Millennium Swiftsure' will operate a daily return service from Carnforth to Lancaster while the 'Swallow' will provide a private hire service for parties, groups, corporate events and weddings.

Cllr Pat Quinton, Lancaster's Cabinet member for rural affairs, says: "The boats will be a valuable addition to tourism and a welcome boost to the rural area north of the city. It's great that more people will be able to enjoy the canal."

Millennium Swiftsure will operate a three-hour service departing from the Canal Turn Pub at 9.30am each day and call at the Royal Hotel and Packet Boat in Bolton-le-Sands, the Hest Bank Hotel and the Lune Aqueduct, arriving at The Waterwitch, Lancaster, at 12.30pm.

For details of sailings and booking arrangements, call Budgie Trans-port on 01524-389410.

o Pictured, Bob Roe, chair of the the Carnforth Area Regeneration Partnership, launches the new service.