COMEDIAN John Bishop has pledged to help turn Runcorn into a flourishing tourist attraction.

The comic, who grew up in the town, has agreed to narrate a film to attract hundreds of visiting boating enthusiasts from all over the UK and Europe.

Campaigners believe the iconic £600 million Mersey Gateway could ‘unlock Runcorn’.

Feeder roads leading to the Silver Jubilee bridge block locks on the Bridgewater Canal, leaving the old town a dead end for boaters.

Once the new crossing opens, these access roads will be dismantled, paving the way for the canal to be linked up to a new Cheshire ring.

Professional filmmaker Anton Califano has made a video to capture how the new route could transform Runcorn.

Campaigners are confident the project will revitalise the town centre increasing demand for restaurants, shops, bars and cafes.

The film – to be released on March 22 – comes as plans for a new canalside family pub restaurant and drive through coffee shop have been approved.

Neptune Developments has teamed up with Halton Council and hope to start work shortly to develop the former Crosville site opposite the Brindley theatre.

Former Halton High School pupil, John Bishop is expected to record a voiceover for the film in the coming weeks.

Campaigner Noel Hutchinson, 46, from The Heath, said: “We needed a film to pitch to potential investors.

“It is very exciting.

“Hundreds of tourists could come here. The knock-on effect for restaurants and businesses is incredible.

“It could give us a new influx of money and people.”

Costs to re-open the locks are estimated at around £15 million.

Halton Council leader Cllr Rob Polhill is interviewed in the film and has given his full backing for the project.

Runcorn Locks Restoration Society has worked tirelessly on the project since 2004.

Some 1,659 people have signed a petition for it to go ahead.

“Opening up the canal has tremendous potential and could help to regenerate Runcorn,” said Cllr Polhill.

“We already have a lot of enthusiastic supporters and now we are looking for investors.

“We are helping campaigners to apply for grants.”

Euro MP Theresa Griffin has pledged to secure funds from Europe to contribute towards the renovation work.

Once funding is in place, engineers are confident work to dig out the locks could be completed in around six months.

The new route would link the Bridgewater Canal to the Manchester Ship Canal and Weaver Navigation.

Boaters visiting the Anderton Boat Lift could stay on the waterway and continue to the new Norton Priory museum which opens next year and The Brindley.

“The potential for Runcorn is absolutely massive,” added Noel.

“We want the town to show how much they want it to happen.

“We have so much history and heritage to be proud of.

“Very few towns have such fantastic waterways. This give us a chance to regenerate ourselves.”

To support the project visit unlockruncorn.org.