About 50 boaters were left stranded following a leak in the Llangollen Canal on the Shropshire border.

A section of the canal was closed on Monday evening for immediate repair work after the leak caused the water level to drop.

David Baldacchino, British Waterways Wales and Border Counties acting general manager, said the canal had been temporarily shut between bridges eight and nine at Hindford.

But it was due to be reopened at 8am today.

He said a valve under the canal began leaking on Monday and required immediate inspection and repair.

“Without this work, the valve was likely to collapse and cause prolonged disruption to holidaymakers, which of course is unacceptable,” he said.

“We completed the fix by about 3pm yesterday.”

Mr Baldacchino said the Llangollen Canal is on course for a record season, with more than 6,000 boats visiting already this season.

“I would like to thank our customers for their patience during the repair period. The high level of visitor numbers clearly demonstrates the value this waterway brings to local communities.

“I think it’s fantastic what they have been able to do on site. The team worked really well to get the canal open.”

Mr Baldacchino said the canal was dewatered between bridge six – Pollet’s Bridge and bridge 11 – Hindford Bridge.

About 50 boats were affected by the stoppage.

David Bergin, of Welsh Canal Holiday Craft, said the firm had to suspend trips along the canal yesterday due to the drop in water level, or boats would have caught along the bottom.

He said trips were running again as normal today.

By Suzanne Roberts