The Wey & Arun Canal Trust's Maintenance Manager, David Jessop, is very pleased to announce new sponsorship from The Toolbank Group of Eastbourne, Sussex. Toolbank kindly allowed the Trust's depot manager, Colin Gibbs, to select hand tools worth over £200 from their catalogue. This is a most valuable contribution to the Trust's efforts, both in continuing the restoration of the canal and in maintaining the restored sections in good order.

Toolbank are one of the UK's leading hand and power tool distributors. Peter Hunt, Special Projects Manager at Toolbank, says: 'We applaud the objectives and efforts of the Wey and Arun Canal Trust. It is important that the Trust's restoration team have the right tools for the job, and we, as tool specialists, are pleased to support their efforts by donating quality hand tools to help complete the renovation tasks safely and effectively.'

Colin Gibbs comments that 'These are exciting times for the Trust, with the Loxwood crossing project moving into its next phase and new sections of canal being cleared. All this activity has encouraged many more volunteers to come forward. This is great news for the Trust, but more work means we need more tools. Canal restoration is demanding work and we are most grateful to generous supporters such as Toolbank for helping us to keep up the momentum. Together we can begin to see that full restoration of the Wey & Arun Canal is more than just a dream.'

The Trust's present project is the most ambitious restoration project ever. When we have restored the road crossing in Loxwood by building a new lock on one side of the B2133, and lowering the water levels to accommodate a bridge, we will be one big step closer to rebuilding London's Lost Route to the Sea. Thousands of visitors every year already enjoy the fully restored sections of canal; when we have crossed the road we will have removed the greatest obstacle to extending this navigable section to the Surrey border and beyond.

Editor's notes:

Toolbank are privately owned specialist hand and power tool distributors servicing the retail trade, and selling to the public on behalf of our retailers.

The www.toolbank.com shopping website has a massive choice of over 25,000 products from more than 200 brands, backed by almost 100% availability for next-day delivery via Business Post. This service also supports other home-shopping websites; Toolbank hold all the stock and despatch orders to shoppers' homes on behalf of the individual retailers. The website is one of the best in the tool trade and is updated daily.

Visitors to the site have access to a wide span of information including several search options, information and specifications on over 25,000 hand and power tools, direct links to tool manufacturers, and a store locator. For shoppers without Internet access, the Toolbank consumer helpline on 0845 658 0357 assists them in three main areas - finding their local 'Premier Toolbank Store', finding the product they need, or even taking their order over the phone for home delivery.

Contact Details:
Toolbank
Tel: 01322 321400
Fax: 01322 383434
E-m: phunt@toolbank.com or pts@toolbank.com
Web: www.toolbank.com