A RENOWNED Leeds & Liverpool Canal historian from Barnoldswick is being honoured by having a lock at Bank Newton named after him.

Mike Clarke, founder and president of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society, will be honoured on Saturday during an event that will be one of the first to celebrate the canal’s bicentenary year.

Bank Newton Lock no 38 is to be re-named the Mike Clarke Lock in tribute to his tremendous contribution to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal – a close association that spans 45 years.

Born in Liverpool, 67-year-old Mike's love affair with England’s longest man-made waterway began with his first boat trip in 1970.

He acquired a traditional Leeds & Liverpool barge in 1972 and spent the next five years living aboard, restoring it to its original condition.

Living and breathing canal life, he is also fascinated by the industries associated with the waterway.

His first book on the canal's history was published in 1990.

Mike will also launch a new enlarged edition of his popular book ‘The Leeds & Liverpool Canal, A history’ at Saturday's event.

Mike also became the driving force behind the founding of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society in 1997, which aimed to encourage better public knowledge and understanding of the UK's waterway heritage.

The Canal & River Trust, the charity that cares for 2,000 miles of canals, decided the waterway's 200th anniversary year would be a fitting moment to create a lasting tribute to his achievements by renaming a lock in his honour.

North West waterway manager, Chantelle Seaborn, said: “Mike Clarke is ‘Mr Leeds & Liverpool’.

"More than anyone else, he has promoted this wonderful waterway to the public. His energy and enthusiasm have inspired hundreds of adults and children over the decades. He has generously shared his time, expertise, knowledge and resources with countless individuals and organisations.

“I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to this remarkable man than to leave a permanent reminder of his wonderful contribution on a lock of the canal that has become part of his DNA.”

When invited to choose a lock, Mike decided on Bank Newton – overlooking the Yorkshire Dales National Park – because of its beautiful countryside.

"I've travelled all over the world looking at different waterways, but I've rarely found anywhere as scenically beautiful as there," said Mike. "It's always one view that comes to my mind when comparing canals."

He and other VIP guests will arrive at the lock-naming ceremony aboard the Kennet, a specially converted education boat that is used to tour along the canal promoting its heritage to visitors.

Departing from Gargrave, they should arrive at the Bank Newton lock at about 11.30am on Saturday, with Mike giving a speech at about mid-day.

The event will also include the Gisburn Singers, of which Mike is a member, performing composer Edward Elgar's 'As Torrents In Summer'.