Kennet and Avon canal closed after lock is damaged

The damage has forced the closure of part of the canal

Part of the Caen Hill section of the Kennet and Avon Canal in Wiltshire has been closed after a boat damaged a pair of lock gates.

A spokesman for British Waterways said the gates were damaged beyond repair. Replacing them could take up to two weeks.

The stretch of water is closed between locks 22 and 24.

The flight of 29 locks over a 2m (3.2km) stretch of the canal near Devizes helps raise barges 237ft (72m).

A £500,000 gate refurbishment programme is under way. It will see 16 new gates installed.

The damaged gates were part of that refurbishment but will now be replaced earlier than scheduled.

Visitors to the tourist attraction can still use the tow path, which remains open.