ONE of the world’s oldest living canal boat leggers will be among the guests for a special trip through Standedge Tunnel.

Ronnie Barnes, 90, of Slaithwaite, is the last surviving Standedge Tunnel ‘legger.’

Historically, they would push canal boats without engines through tunnels, while the horses were walked around.

Leggers would lie on their backs on the roof of a boat and use their legs to push it through the tunnel.

The horseboat Maria, built in 1854, will travel along Huddersfield Narrow Canal from Ashton-under-Lyne to Huddersfield and back between April 23 and May 4.

The 45-mile trip, organised by The Horseboating Society, includes legging sessions through the three-and-a-quarter mile Standedge Tunnel on April 25 and May 3.

Mr Barnes will appear at Standedge Tunnel Visitors’ Centre at around 4pm on April 25 as part of Marsden Cuckoo Day celebrations.

For details of the journey visit www.horseboating.org.uk or call Sue Day on 07711 121 056.

A free trip through the tunnel is on offer courtesy of British Waterways.

For a chance to win, guess how long it will take the leggers to travel through the Standedge Tunnel on April 23 (hint: it usually takes around three hours).

Send your answers to sueday_horse@yahoo.co.uk