The start of the work will be marked with a special ceremony

The start of the Fens Waterways Link Project in Boston was marked with a special sod-turning ceremony on Friday.

The first stage of the work is to begin construction of the Black Sluice Lock, with the aim of opening up hundreds of miles of waterways.

The regeneration scheme will cover the whole of Lincolnshire, eventually connecting Lincoln, Peterborough and Ely via waterways.

'Big difference'

Tony Williamson, who has been boating on the River Witham for 30 years, said: "Anything to do with the waterways is a good thing because the roads are absolutely choc-a-block.

"The lock will make a big difference for people with big narrow boats who go up and down the country. It's just another place to explore. It's going to widen the scope."

When the lock is finished, in about 10 months' time, the South Forty Foot river, which has not been passable for 40 years, will reopen.

The site currently has broken-down fencing, overgrown grass on the banks of the river and two boarded-up cottages.

Funding for the project has come from Lincolnshire County Council, the Government Office for the East Midlands and the European Regional Development Fund.

The second phase, which has not yet received funding, will include building a tidal barrier across the Haven river to enhance the waterfront in Boston and improve flood defences.