A charity is urging the government to extend the restoration of the Montgomery Canal.

The Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust (MWRT) is calling for a 12-month extension to complete the restoration works in North Powys, near Llanymynech.

The charity believes this is the best way to ensure value for money, as stopping now would leave the project unfinished.

The previous government had promised £14 million under the 'Levelling Up Fund'.

However, due to planning, consultations, and community engagement, not all the money can be spent within the originally allocated period, which ends in March 2025.

Michael Limbrey from MWRT said: "Local canal charities have been working for many years to reopen the Montgomery Canal and millions of pounds and many thousands of volunteer hours have been invested in restoration, maintenance, and conservation.

"The latest funding is for Powys County Council and the Canal & River Trust to build two new bridges on minor roads in Carreghofa, new nature reserves to safeguard the canal’s ecology and dredging to maintain the water supply.

"It has not been possible to complete the works within the short timetable required by Whitehall so a request has been made for more time to complete the project.

"We fully understand the government’s need to review national finances, but stopping now would mean that money spent so far would be wasted.

"Much better to complete the project now."

He added: "We know living canals attract both visitors and nature to an area.

"Restored canals stimulate the local economy but just as importantly encourage people to get outdoors to walk, canoe or cycle and so add to their wellbeing."

The MWRT's strategy aims to safeguard the canal's ecology by controlling powered boat movements and creating new nature reserves.