It wasn't just the railways that were arteries to the beating industrial heart of the Somer Valley, the local canal was also a crucial part.

Now hard-working volunteers have come a step closer to clearing the canal, and showing the scope of the basin over in Paulton.

On Sunday the volunteers reported : "We still have a bit of tidying up to do on the walls, but we've broken the back of the clearance work on the dry dock at Paulton today. Thank you to all of our fabulous volunteers. "

To join the team or find out more about their heritage work see HERE

Also coming up next week, on Thursday 16th November - 7.30pm - at Radstock Working Men's Club. Roger, the team's archivist, will lead a talk all about the Southern Radstock branch of the canal.

That led from Midford via Wellow to the terminus at Radstock Wharf. The history of both the canal cut, its conversion to a tramway, and the collieries that supplied the coal, will all be covered.

Entry to this special event is free, but they are asking for a a donation of £3-4 to help cover the society's costs.