Harwoods Land Rover of Pulborough, Sussex, have provided the Wey & Arun Canal Trust with a brand-new Land Rover Defender. Harwoods have always been generous supporters of the canal restoration project; this is the 4^th new vehicle that they have presented to the Trust.

Handing over the keys to the new Land Rover, Glyn Woodage, Chief Executive Officer of the Harwoods Group, commented: 'Our support for the Wey & Arun Canal Trust dates back to the mid-1990s, when the Chairman (Peter Beresford at that time) invited us to a presentation. We felt then, and still feel now, that restoration of the Wey & Arun Canal is an ideal cause for Harwoods to support, especially as it is a local concern that really needs Land Rover vehicles for the tough tasks at which they excel. We are delighted to continue our involvement in this great project.'

The Chairman of the Wey & Arun Canal Trust, Peter Foulger, said: 'We are immensely grateful to Harwoods for their generous support. The Land Rover Defender is the perfect vehicle for canal restoration jobs. Harwoods need not fear that the new Land Rover will sit in a garage without getting mud on its wheels. We have put it to immediate use on our central restoration project in Loxwood and at other sites up and down the canal. Next year it will also be hauling our display vehicle to shows and fairs across the region, helping to spread the word about the benefits of completing restoration of the Wey & Arun Canal.'

The donation of the Land Rover comes as the Trust nears completion of its most critical restoration project ever - the crossing of the main road in Loxwood, Sussex. The Trust hopes to start on the final phase in 2007 when a bridge is built underneath the B2133 road. Finishing the bridge 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; the new road crossing will remove the greatest obstacle to extending this navigable section to the Surrey border and beyond.

Further information can be obtained from the Wey & Arun Trust's Public Relations Officer: Sally Schupke (01483 560543): email: pr@weyandarun.co.uk

For general information on the work of the Wey and Arun Canal Trust, please telephone the Trust office on 01403 752403.