Burton-on-Trent is 2004's festival town

In a surprise announcement, the Inland Waterways Association has unveiled Burton-on-Trent as the venue for 2004's National Waterways Festival.

The site, which is close to the town centre, will be Shobnall Fields, between Dallow Lane Lock and Bridge 33 alongside the Trent & Mersey Canal. The location is a dramatic contrast this years' rural site at Beale Park, on the River Thames near Reading. As usual, the festival will take place over the August Bank Holiday.

Ian West, the Chairman of the National Waterways Festivals committee, said today: "We are delighted to be going to Burton-on-Trent for 2004. The Trent & Mersey is a narrow canal where we can expect to accommodate 250-300 boats and would hope for a similar number of tents and caravans. Wider boats will be encouraged to cruise as close as possible, where it is intended to make provision for travel to the Festival."

IWA National Chairman, John Fletcher, explained that one factor behind the decision was Burton's proximity to three major canal restoration projects: the Derby Canal, the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals and the extension of the Ashby Canal. With other waterway events planned for Moira, Brownhills and Nottingham in 2004, the Midland canals are set for a busy summer next year.