THE £2m Standedge Visitor Centre at Marsden has closed.

Tourist services - including boat trips through Standedge Tunnel - have been moved from the converted warehouse to nearby Tunnel End Cottages.

The visitor centre was opened in 2001 by Prince Charles at the same time as the re-opening of Huddersfield Narrow Canal after a £30m regeneration project by Huddersfield Canal Society, Kirklees Council and British Waterways.

Boat trips had previously been run up to Standedge Tunnel from Tunnel End Cottages by Huddersfield Canal Society.

But they could not get through the tunnel until it was made navigable in 2001.

The boat trips through the canal tunnel - which is Britain's longest at 3.25 miles - have remained popular.

But after a flurry of initial interest, visitor numbers at the Standedge Visitor Centre - which had a cafe, children's play area and shop -dropped dramatically.

By July, 2004, opening hours were cut and charges for boat rides through Standedge Tunnel were lowered in a bid to lure in visitors. The centre was closed for the winter and was set to re-open at Easter.

However, when the cafe, shop and information services resumed, they were relocated in Tunnel End Cottages.

Boat trips are run from near the cottages which are next to the mouth of the tunnel.

Janet Baverstock, service manager for British Waterways, said: "This move came about following customer comments which identified that the visitor experience should be combined at the entrance of the tunnel.

"We have been seeing how visitors respond to the new arrangements. They are delighted.

"We are currently working with our partners, Kirklees Council and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal Society, to work out the most appropriate use for the warehouse in the future.

"All parties are very keen to ensure that it includes an aspect of community use."