TWO rowing novices are planning to kayak from Anderton Boat Lift to London to help a charity celebrate its 10th birthday.

Friends Louise Beswick and Jennifer Fox, who work at the Hayhurst Arms, in Bostock Green, will paddle more than 266 miles of canal and 187 locks on their journey to 'Little Venice' in September.

The pair are embarking on the voyage to raise money for Northwich charity The Joshua Tree, which supports families living with childhood cancer and aims to build a purpose-built support centre in Sandiway.

Louise, 30, whose husband Chris is the manager at the Hayhurst Arms, said: "At the pub we had started doing things for The Joshua Tree and I know how important what they do is," she said.

"We have a two-year-old, Noah, and God forbid if anything was to happen but it's important to know there's people and a support network out there like The Joshua Tree.

"Without people doing stuff to keep it going it won't be there to support the families when they need it.

"It's their 10th anniversary year and with them wanting to raise enough funds to break ground on the support centre this year I thought I should think of something insane and crazy to do and drag a friend along as well.

"We've both done a bit of kayaking but not to the point where you would think that's a normal thing for us to do.

"I'm scared of open water and water in general but in a way I thought the children that The Joshua Tree helps get their childhoods taken away from them and have to go through a scary ordeal.

"If I do something getting involved with one of my phobias then it's a little bit of solidarity."

Jenny, 24, said she had done some kayaking on holiday but, unlike Louise, enjoyed water.

"I used to swim for Northwich so I've always been a swimmer, I like water and I thought this would be a good challenge," she said.

The pair set off on September 1 and Louise, who is also a Bostock parish councillor, said they estimate the journey will take between 10 and 12 days.

The Hayhurst Arms is also organising Tea on the Green in aid of The Joshua Tree this summer.

This will include an outdoor cinema showing of 'Grease' on July 2 and Tea on the Green on July 3.

To sponsor the kayak challenge visit justgiving.com/Jen-and-Lou-in-a-canoe