IT WAS the work of the machines for the latest work of the Shropshire Union Canal Volunteers as it continued the restoration of the 330-metre dry section of the Montgomery Canal.

The work along the canal will link the national network of canals, to the Winding Hole at Crickheath, which is in water.

Fred Barrett, spokesman for the group, gave the latest update.

He said: "The second work party in October was almost totally machine based with the major job being the continuation of reducing the width of a 70-metre section of the channel at the Eastern end of the project.

"The canal there is very much wider than the rest of the channel.

"Thousands of tonnes of stone has been used to narrow down this section, and, after another two work parties the stone slope reconstruction here should be completed.

"The remaining parallel task, is to build up the top of this off side bank and back fill it with soil, another massive task, which began on Saturday and will continue into December.

"This involves transporting vast amounts of earth in dumpers, from the huge stock pile at the opposite end at Crickheath, which is then spread out and flattened using a 13-tonne digger.

"Another 60 metres of the base of the canal was also levelled to the final grade, in readiness for waterproof lining next year.

"This was a very productive three days."