AN AWARD-winning charity is to hold a series of open days again this year, offering free canal boat trips.

The Mirfield-based Safe Anchor Trust operates four passenger boats on the Calder & Hebble Navigation.

The trust provides trips on the canal for disadvantaged people, including those with health and mobility problems.

Two of the boats, Safe Anchor Lady and E Austen Johnson, have full wheelchair access.

Trust volunteers have organised a series of open days at the group’s base at Shepley Bridge Marina off Huddersfield Road.

Members of the public are invited to take a free 50-minute boat trip and learn more about the trust’s work.

The first open days will be held this weekend, April 6 and 7.

Others are planned for Saturday, Sunday and Monday May 4, 5 and 6; Saturday and Sunday June 1 and 2; Saturday, Sunday and Monday August 24, 25 and 26; and Saturday and Sunday September 28 and 29.

The open days run from 10.30am to 4pm.

A new attraction this year is a model garden railway.

The trust, set up in 1995, carried more than 15,000 passengers last year. All staff are volunteers.