More than 2,300 flooded to Leigh Canal Festival at the weekend.

The free event was held at its new venue, Leigh Miners Welfare Institute on Kirby Road, where canal boats were on display from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

There were traders’ boats including canal crafts and arts and a historic museum boat called George, which used to carry coal from Bickershaw Colliery.

A free 12-seater water taxi called the WAXI service, completed more than 60 journeys over the canal to take people from Pennington Wharf and the Waterside Inn pub, on Twist Lane, to Leigh Miners.

A funfair was also set up at the festival site.

Chairman of the Leigh Canal Festival Group, Peter Rowlinson, said: “We have had very positive feedback from visitors and stallholders who enjoyed themselves.

"On Saturday, there was also a women’s rugby match demonstration, a Leigh Grammar Schools Heritage Project presentation and a music festival at night with six bands playing for free in front of around 120 people.

"It was a hub of activity at the weekend.”

Peter has confirmed the festival will return to Leigh Miners next year which will be the start of a 12-month project that celebrates the 200th anniversary of the opening of Leigh’s branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in 1820.