THE Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Skipton will not have seen anything like it in its 200-year history when two 40ft-long vessels sweep into the basin on Thursday.

Each powered by 18 crew heaving paddles, the boats will have the "spectacular sight" of a dragon's head bedecking the prow, a serpent-like tail at the stern, a drummer up front beating rowing time and a 'gondolier' at the tiller.

The boats will be crewed by members of the Bradford Barracudas dragon boat club based at Doe Park in Denholme, and the Crusaders Dragon Boat Club from Crosby, Merseyside, who are on a voyage covering the 128 miles from Liverpool to Leeds in eight days.

They will be raising money for the Bradford Lord Mayor's appeal, the children's ward at Bradford Royal Infirmary, and the Merseyside and Cheshire Blood Bikers, who transport medical supplies.

Jeff Quark, of Crusaders Dragon Boat Club, said: "It is a unique challenge.

"The Leeds and Liverpool Canal has never before in its 200-year history been fully traversed using dragon boats.

"The aim is to take two full-sized, fully dressed dragon boats, with the heads, tails and drummers, across the full length of the canal, and negotiate all the locks and swing bridges we meet. It should be a spectacular sight."

Two days later, on Saturday, the dragon boats will take part in a Race the Dragon charity festival on the River Aire at Saltaire.