VITAL work to Stourbridge Canal is expected to be completed by Christmas with repairs to cost in the region of £750,000.

British Waterways made the announcement after working hard at site and carrying out a full investigation into costs.

The canal breached its banks from Middle Bridge to Wordsley Aqueduct following freak storms in September.

Engineers have been working at the breach and a section of the canal from Middle Bridge to Stourton has now been re-watered.

A section of the canal from Wordsley to Stourbridge Junction has also be re-watered.

Providing the planned work stays on schedule the breach site is expected to be fully re-opened in time for Christmas 2008.

Work needed to be done at the site includes two clay dams to be installed, the canal being made back to its original shape and re-lined with clay either side of the breach gap.

A concrete block is also to be built at the bottom of the embankment with geotextile lining and three thousands tonnes of fill to be installed behind the concrete to built up the embankment.

When this work has been completed the dams will be removed and the canal will be re-watered.

British Waterways West Midlands, general manager, Tony Harvey, said:” Our top priority has been to get the canal re-opened for our customers as soon as possible, so its great news that the breach repairs should be completed in time for Christmas 2008.”

Go to www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/video for exclusive video report on the project.