A RIVERSIDE festival is being launched to float the boat of residents and visitors alike and put Northwich on the map.

The Northwich Riverside Festival Partnership has been formed to organise the event for the weekend of June 22, 23 and 24 next year.

John Tackley, from the River Weaver Navigation Society, said: “We want to see the River Weaver used and appreciated and in so doing bring a lot more activity and interest from locals and tourists in the town.

“It seems to me that the river is our saviour.”

Early plans for the festival, which will be held between the two bridges in the town centre, include a major boat rally with more than 100 narrowboats and heritage boats, arts, entertainments, water sports activities and bankside trade stands.

It will be free to the general public.

The partnership has been formed by the Inland Waterways Association, River Weaver Navigation Society, the Broken Cross Boat Club and the Development of the Arts in Northwich (DAN).

The rally also has the support of British Waterways, Northwich Town Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council.

John said: “It’s a little early to say how it’s going to be structured but we know that we don’t want it to be only for boaters.

“We want it for the town and for the people of the town to say ‘this is a town to be proud of’ and for visitors to say ‘this is a tourist centre we must visit.”

The partnership organised a boat trip from Anderton Boat Lift to Hunts Lock on Thursday to demonstrate the potential of the river, show the festival site from the water and inspire guests, including town councillors, residents and the Guardian, to support the event and help with ideas for it.

“The River Weaver is a microcosm – all that’s best about British navigation, including beautiful scenery, fabulous engineering and interesting industry,” said John.

Anyone who can help with sponsorship of the event or with attractions and entertainment should contact John on jtackley@hotmail.com.