SKIPTON Waterway Festival goes ahead this weekend.

And this year, it will celebrate the bi-centenary of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Now in its 15th year, the three-day festival will be opened by Skipton Mayor, Councillor Gordon Bell, at 10.45am on Saturday.

Dozens of narrowboats and other craft will line the basin and the surrounding towpaths – all themed to help celebrate the canal’s landmark anniversary – and there will be a full programme of entertainment throughout each of the three days.

Skipton Town Centre manager, Brett Butler, said: “The canal is as important a part of Skipton as the Castle, the High Street and the market – and the Waterway Festival allows us to showcase this significant part of our town’s heritage.”

Top tribute band, Beatles For Sale, will perform on Sunday, together with well-known DJs and other acts. There is traditional entertainment, too, with brass bands, pipe bands, morris dancing, folk band The Tenmours and Skipton band Paisley Rehab.

The traditional flotilla of illuminated boats will make its way along the canal and into the basin on Sunday evening. The regular monthly farmers’ market will also be held on the Sunday morning.

Entry to the festival is free.