A HIDDEN beauty spot could become a national tourist destination after receiving a cash boost.

A group of volunteers have secured a £50,000 grant off the government to re-open one of Runcorn’s locked canal routes – with the hope of offering boat trips and other unique attractions.

The Runcorn Locks Restoration society (RLRS) want to create a ‘Runcorn Riviera’ featuring a marina with bars and restaurants along the Bridgewater Canal.

Key to their ambitious plans include  a 'modern boat lift' similar to the Anderton Boat Lift in Cheshire, and a floating cable railway, known in technical terms as a canal plane incline.

Graham Wallace, chairman of RLRS, said: “When this opens it will be a massive tourist attraction.

“A plane incline, in layman’s terms, is a bit like a railway (on water). Put that with a boat lift, on historic lock chamber and you have got a pretty good tourist attraction of national interest.

“We hope to build a marina, a visitor centre, a community hub with art.

“It will be rare and unique. It will bring the footfall everyone will want to see how it looks.”

The £50k, awarded from the government’s coastal revival fund,  will be used to  undertake feasibility work and create a 'show lock'– a visual representation to show people what opening up the locks could look like and raise awareness of the project.

Halton Council are working in partnership with the volunteers to bring the plans to life, and described the government cash boost as 'really good news'.

A spokeswoman said that the project could bring regeneration opportunities to the town, helping it become 'a canal destination again'.

Once the feasibility work is complete, RLRS are confident they can secure cash off the city region to make their dreams a reality.

Graham, 68,  continued: “This funding is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s got the ability to transform Runcorn as it has never been transformed before.

“On the canal quarter in the town there will be bars and restaurants where people will be able to see the boats going past.

“When the Station Quarter development is complete, the first thing you will see coming out of Runcorn station will be the boat lift, behind Waterloo bridge.

“If it brings the footfall, then that will organically regenerate the town. We have got a unique opportunity to open what we have got anyway. The canal is there, it just needs opening up.

“When it does, instead of the council having to clap the hands of developers, developers will be knocking on their doors, saying we want to invest in your town.”

Runcorn’s canal locks closed in 1965 after falling into disuse.

Local residents, including Runcorn Comedian John Bishop, have long held ambitions to re-open the locks to boost the town’s economy.

The RLRS formed in 2004 and is made up dedicated volunteers who have  spent years cleaning and maintaining the canal site  in the hope that the closed routes  could one day re-open.

Retired grandad of four Graham, who is from Runcorn, said if they can pull the plans off, it will provide jobs and apprenticeships for people while giving the town something to be proud of.

He said: “I joined the Royal Marines at 15. People used to say where are you from, and I didn’t like to say Runcorn because I was not very proud, so would say Liverpool or north west.

“ don’t want my grandchildren to go through that. I want them to say ‘I’m from Runcorn’ and be proud of that fact.

“My driving force is my grandchildren. Every time I see them I think, if i can make this town something for you to be proud of, then I have done something good on this earth.”