ABANDONED boats are being towed away by British Waterways in an attempt to tidy up the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Pendle.

Pendle has more abandoned and, in some cases, half-sunken boats than any other area along the canal, and three unlicensed or illegally-moored boats have been removed in the last few days.

The agency has also warned other owners that they risk having their boats taken if they fail to comply with by-laws.

To keep a boat on British Waterways canals, owners must have a craft licence similar to a car tax disc, as well as a mooring permit, or face action from the enforcement team.

But a spokesman said there was a long process to go through before crafts could be completely removed from the water.

Martin Cleaver, who operates Foulridge Canal Cruises, said the problem was worst at Salterforth, but there were also abandoned craft in Barrowford and Barnoldswick.

He said: "In Salterforth there are quite a lot where people seem to have bought them, then realised they can't afford to keep them up and just left them. Some of them have been there years.

"It just looks a mess and when we are sailing past with people, and they are always asking why British Waterways hasn't sorted it out. I can't understand why it's taken so long."

Jane Thomson, leisure business manager for British Waterways, said: "We are working extremely hard to pursue and resolve all craft enforcement cases.

"When we are finally able to remove craft from the water it only gives out a positive message to the majority of our customers who do pay their appropriate fees.

"All of our craft and mooring income is channelled directly back into the operation of our waterways to improve the infrastructure and enjoyment for our many users."