MIRFIELD'S Safe Anchor Trust has been nominated for a major award in the "waterway Oscars".
The Water Renaissance Awards 2003, run by the Waterways Trust and the British Urban Regeneration Association, recognises best practice in waterway improvements throughout the UK.
The Safe Anchor Trust has been put forward in the community category and has been praised for its strong commitment to outreach projects.
The charity, which is run by teams of local volunteers, runs a successful narrowboat project along the Calder and Hebble Navigation and other canals across West Yorkshire.
There are five boats involved in the project, which is aimed at more vulnerable members of society.
The project allows people with disabilities, the elderly, nursery children and charitable groups to enjoy the waterways.
Although the boats are usually crewed by community service workers under the supervision of West Yorkshire's Probation Service, there have been opportunities for unemployed youths to man the craft.
In 2003, the Safe Anchor Trust arranged free boat trips for 5,647 people, a 47% increase on 2002.
In nominating the Safe Anchor Trust, the judges, chaired by Roger Hanbury, said: "The service programmes are second to none. It is a general common asset that is recognised and respected by everyone."
The awards ceremony will be held at Madame Tussauds in London on March 16.
