A GRANT has led to a new book on the Sankey Canal.

A National Lottery Heritage Fund grant, as part of the 'Creative Underground' project, has enabled the Sankey Canal Restoration Society to publish 'The History of Newton Common Lock Keeper’s Cottage'.

This book explores the history and archaeology of the cottage, built between 1755 and 1757, and reveals fresh insight into the lost working life along the canal.

Earlier this year, the society excavated the Newton Common Lock Keeper’s cottage, unearthing remains such as small shards of pottery and terracotta roof tiles.

Dr Barrie Pennington, vice chair of the Sankey Canal Restoration Society, said: "Our role as the Sankey Canal Restoration Society is to highlight the important influence of canals in this country and particularly this one in the North West, which was the first in England.

"The book came about because we were successful in obtaining funding from St Helens Borough Council, which has allowed us to document the work that has been done on the cottage foundations.

"Having given many copies out already, we’ll be doing a reprint so that we can get it out to as many of the public as we can and we’re very grateful to the council for its support in making this possible."

The cottage has a rich history and was featured in engravings from the early 19th century.

These engravings also show the Grade I listed Sankey Viaduct, the first of its kind in the world, before its demolition in the early 1970s.

The society has "ambitious" plans for the site, hoping to rebuild the cottage as a heritage centre and tearoom in time for the 200th anniversary of the Rainhill Trials in 2030.

Councillor Kate Groucutt, St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Business, Leisure and Culture, said: "Sankey Canal is a fascinating part of the borough’s history and it is passionate groups like the Sankey Canal Restoration Society that ensure its significant contribution to the world will never be forgotten.

"As a council, our heritage means a great deal to us - as we know it does to a lot of residents and groups.

"That’s why it’s a pleasure to be able to award National Lottery Heritage Fund grants like this as part of our archive’s ‘Creative Underground’ initiative to enable projects like this to come to life so that residents are able to learn about our borough’s proud history."