A ROYAL Air Force serviceman who helps save the lives of wounded soldiers has flown to the rescue of Middlewich Narrowboats.

Greg Williams, a critical care nurse in the RAF’s Air Support Team is the new owner of the Canal Terrace boat hire company.

It has been revealed that the business went into liquidation before Greg took control with a major investment which saved 12 jobs.

Greg currently lives in Wiltshire but has had a passion for Middlewich’s canals since he was 19.

His first boating holiday was in 1989 when he and his friends rented a narrowboat called Oak.

Since then he has frequently navigated the town’s canals with sons Liam, 14, and Michael, 22, and wife Sue.

“It’s been a big part of my family,” said Greg.

“The boats have become tired and shabby which is a shame as it’s not how I remember them.

“The hard work now is getting everything looking smart and tidy again.”

Middlewich Narrowboats currently has a fleet of 15 boats and the team are busy building a new one.

There will a sense of history repeating itself as the boat is going to be called Oak in tribute to Greg’s first visit to the town.

It also hoped that a canalside tea room will open in the summer and bike hire is being made available, starting this week.

Greg, who has helped save lives in war zones like Afghanistan and Iraq, plans to juggle his RAF duties with his new role before eventually going full time in Middlewich.

He added: “Five to seven years ago many soldiers weren’t expected to survive from serious injuries.

“Now within 24 hours we can have them back in the arms of their mum and dad.

“Some go on to live very fulfilled lives. It’s difficult to give it up but I feel I’ve done my bit.”

In the meantime, his wife Sue has given up a finance job in Oxfordshire to help run things.

Currently all the boats are being refurbished with new kitchens, bedding and a lick of paint.

Greg said: “Middlewich Narrowboats is unique in the hire business because it has a fleet of historic boats.

“They are really special and built to last so we’re putting a lot of effort into restoring them. We want to reflect that history.”