A LARGE section of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal has been closed from near Gargrave to Kirkstall for almost a week after water levels started to drop.

On investigation, Canal and River Trust engineers discovered that a 'let-off valve' downstream of Holme Lock, Gargrave had been leaking. The valve is a drain a the bottom of the canal sealed with a wooden board and a chain, that can be opened if the canal needs to be drained.

The charity plans to carry out repairs tomorrow (Thursday) and hopes to be able to say on Friday when the stretch of the canal will reopen.

Since after when the issue was first discovered on June 29, boaters have had to book to get through the locks, but with water levels improving, boaters are being let through by lock-keepers on a 'discretionary' basis says the charity.

A spokesperson for the Canal and River Trust said: "On the evening of June 29, our charity was alerted to reducing water levels in the Leeds and Liverpool Skipton pound.

"Following further investigations into the cause we discovered that a let-off downstream of Holme Lock at Gargrave had failed.

"Repairs will be carried out from tomorrow (Thursday), and we anticipate more information about the reopening will be available on Friday.

"In the meantime, water levels downstream on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal are improving. Therefore, our team of lock keepers will be enabling passage through Bingley Three and Five Rise Locks, Forge Locks and Newlay Locks on a discretionary basis depending on how much water is available - in addition to the previously advertised times."