Restoration work on the Droitwich Canals in Worcestershire has received planning permission.

The work will focus on the area of the canal around the M5 motorway, and will include the construction of a new lock into the River Salwarpe.

Paul Middlebrough, chair of the Droitwich Canals Restoration Project, said: “It is fantastic that the project has now moved from the planning to the implementation phase. At long last there is soon going to be visible engineering work that will show the years of preparation have been worthwhile.”

The partnership – which includes British Waterways, the Waterways Trust, Worcestershire County Council and Wychavon District Council – has already raised £10.5m after donations from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Advantage West Midlands, but still has a further £1m to go.