RUNCORN’S first canal based arts festival called a ‘Canalival’ has been hailed a success.

Drama, art, craft and narrowboats came together to celebrate the history, traditions and customers of the waterways.

Members of Halton Young People’s Theatre performed several pieces of theatre which combined to create a story of canal folk and a mystery unsolved in over 40 years.

It was based on the young people’s research into the local history of the canals, using documents and oral histories collected for the Working Lives: Working Together project.

The drama group created a tale of young girl who had disappeared at a past ‘Canalival’.

Two actors played the part of inspectors interacting with individual audience members throughout the afternoon.

More than 50 people attended the performance including the Mayor and Mayoress of Halton, Cllr Ged Philbin and Roz Wong.

Music was provided by charity and singing group Victoria Music.

Organiser Louise Hesketh said: "It was lovely to see people interactive with the canal and getting a feel for their history and heritage.”

Festival goers were also treated to a short film created by the young people during the project and displays by local history groups on board Ada – a wide beam barge on loan from the Canal Boat Adventure project in Runcorn.

At the end of the afternoon around 20 people joined Richard Andrews from Runcorn Historical Society on a walking tour of the Sprinch boatyard and other landmarks along the Bridgewater Canal.

The Halton Council event was supported by the Heritage Lottery and ran by the Halton Heritage Partnership.