Loxwood Parish Council has awarded the Wey & Arun Canal Trust a generous £5,000 grant towards running costs.
The funds will be used to maintain the towpath along the restored section of canal at Loxwood, an area particularly popular with walkers, horse riders and cyclists.
Chairman Sally Schupke said: "We very much appreciate this contribution towards our running costs, particularly at this time with fundraising events cancelled and loss of income from the postponement of our boat trips at Loxwood due to coronavirus. The Trust has also had to carry out substantial restoration of parts of the towpath due to this year's storms which caused the nearby River Lox to flood.
"We know how much the towpath is valued by users of all ages and the grant is recognition of that. It will allow us to continue to offer a haven for wildlife and a fantastic leisure amentity for locals and visitors."
A spokesperson for the Parish Council added: "The Parish Council is very pleased to award the Wey & Arun Canal Trust a grant of £5,000 from part of the Community Investment Levy awarded to the Parish as a result of the Nursery Green development. Restoring the footpaths along the Canal will be a valuable asset to the many parishioners who regularly walk the canal and to those whose visit our parish from further afield.
"The Parish Council is very supportive of the many volunteers who work with the Trust to ensure the canal is kept operational and available to the public."
