PRESERVATION of an ancient canal that once allowed commercial traffic to cruise from Southampton to Winchester is getting a £1.6m boost from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The money will go to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, who will use it for a five-year project to create a heritage trail celebrating the outstanding wildlife and history of the Itchen Navigation.

The project, announced today (October 10), will take in parts of the internationally renowned chalk river system at Eastleigh, Southampton and Winchester.

As well as stabilising and restoring the Itchen Navigation's riverbanks, work will create new trails with information boards so that visitors can identify the many wildlife species and historic industrial structures.

Visitors will be encouraged to look out for water voles in specially profiled banks along the river, and for birds and bats in special installation boxes.

The project is being managed by the trust on behalf of a wider partnership of the Environment Agency, Winchester City Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Southampton City Council, Hampshire County Council, Natural England and the Inland Waterways Association.

One of the aims is to involve the community in conservation and social activities.

Volunteers will carry out preservation work on Mansbridge Lock to interpret and celebrate the industrial history of the navigation.

Water voles, otters, southern damselfly and fish such as brown trout are expected to flourish as a result of the conservation work.

The trust wants to train local volunteers to survey wildlife, including otters, bats, birds and plants.

Activities and events planned along the navigation include exhibitions at City Mill in Winchester and Riverside Park, Southampton, as well as community art workshops.

Sheena Vick, the Heritage Lottery Fund's south east manager, said: "This is a great project which will benefit people across the whole Itchen Navigation area. Today's news will enable the public to explore the history they have right on their doorstep."

Leah Mathias, Itchen Navigation project manager for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said: "We're looking forward to working with the project partners and local residents to ensure that wildlife will continue to thrive here and that we celebrate our industrial heritage".

The project comprises 10 miles of canal and footpath, running from Blackbridge Wharf in Winchester to Woodmill in Southampton. Coal and agricultural produce were carried on the navigation after it opened in 1710 until it fell into disuse about 150 years later. More information about the project: www.hwt.org.uk