Bingley Five Rise Locks mark 250th anniversary

The Five Rise Locks opened in 1774

A day of celebration will take place to mark the 250th anniversary of one of the "seven wonders of the waterways".

The Grade I listed Bingley Five Rise Locks and the nearby Three Rise Locks on the 127-mile Leeds and Liverpool Canal have been in use since 1774.

The Canal & River Trust, which named the site as one of its "seven wonders", will mark the milestone on Saturday.

Ruth Garratt from the trust said the landmark locks remained in "pretty much an unaltered state".

"Part of the importance and significance of the locks is that they have got this really big visual impact," she said of the structures.

"When they first opened 30,000 people turned up to witness the ceremony."

The Bingley site is the UK's steepest lock flight.

Its five locks operate as a "staircase" flight - in which the lower gate of one lock forms the upper gate of the next.

Constructed by hand

Boats need to navigate six gates and five chambers to climb or descend 59ft (18m) - and it can take up to 45 minutes to travel up.

Ms Garratt said the locks were constructed by hand, adding: "They are really important because they are a very early example of canal engineering.

"It's a really unique international resource of high importance."

Those attending Saturday's drop-in event, which runs from 10:00 until 15:00 GMT, will get to see the locks in action and take a boat trip along the canal.

Other activities and events taking place include a floating market, guided heritage walks and talks and paddle sports sessions.