CANOE trips on the tranquil Well Creek are being offered by a woman who has been inspired by her disabled daughter to start a hire business.

Chanda Webb launched Kingfisher Canoe Trails on Saturday, offering villagers and tourists the chance to explore the waterways around Upwell and Outwell by canoe.

She was inspired to start the business after taking her 16-year-old disabled daughter Anya on a canoe trip last year.

She said: “Anya goes to the Meadowgate School in Wisbech, but she’s 16 and in two years she’s going to be leaving school. I was looking for something I could do which would allow me to give up part-time work and look after Anya.

“I took Anya on a canoe trip last year and realised how much she enjoyed it and how much she got out of it. Living in Upwell, with the river running through the village, I thought this would be a great way to combine all three.

“It will also hopefully bring more tourism and trade to Upwell and Outwell and the surrounding villages.”

Members of the Well Creek Trust, eel catcher Peter Carter and parish councillors were among guests at the Crown Lodge Hotel in Upwell on Saturday when Ms Webb launched the first canoe onto the water from the hotel’s moorings.

Canoes can be hired for four, six or eight hours and travel between Marmont Priory Lock, near Upwell, and Salter’s Lode, or travel downstream from Marmont Priory towards March along the Old River Nene.

Pre-booked picnic lunches are also available which can be packed into a hamper and left ready and waiting at the riverside for when you get there.

Ms Webb said: “I’m trying to turn the clocks back and offer some good old-fashioned fun on the water

For more information contact 01945 773306 or visit www.kingfishercanoetrails.co.uk