A 19TH century anchor, rescued from the bottom of the River Weaver Navigation, has been given a new home on display at the foot of Anderton Boat Lift – Britain’s 'Cathedral of the Canals'.

The famous lift and boat trip site in Northwich is a popular attraction in Cheshire for both boat lovers and families looking for a fun day out.

And now there is yet another reason to visit.

The Canal and River Trust waterways and wellbeing charity was asked to provide a permanent resting place for a historic anchor by the family of former British Waterways sections inspector Neville Robinson.

The relic, thought to date back to 1840, belonged to the old Weaver-built schooner British Queen, and was discovered by Neville and his colleagues buried deep in silt at Pickerings Wharf in the 1980s, when they were dredging the Weaver to maintain river depth – a task now carried out by the Canal and River Trust.

The anchor then spent many happy years as a curio in the Robinson family garden – even moving house with them.

But when Neville and his wife died recently, their son and daughter felt it was time to find the treasured memento a permanent and more fitting home on dry land next to the Weaver, where visitors can enjoy seeing it too.

With the help of John Tackley, president of the River Weaver Navigation Society, and Ani Sutton, the trust’s north west destinations and attractions manager, the anchor is now in place on public view.

And in August, the Robinson family, guests and boating colleagues met at Anderton to enjoy a celebratory ribbon cutting.

Ani said: "The anchor makes an attractive feature in this part of the boat lift grounds and is in a prime position for people to enjoy as they embark or disembark from boat trips through the Victorian boat lift.

"It has a real air of mystery about it and provides a fascinating extra exhibit for visitors to enjoy as they meander around the beautiful grounds."

Neville Robinson’s daughter Lynne Foster is delighted with the anchor’s new home.

She added: "No one knows how the anchor came to be lost in the first place, but it is wonderful for it now to be permanently on view close to the river and the boat lift for everyone to enjoy.

"It is back where it should be, on the River Weaver, where it had laid unseen for over 100 years."

Visitors can see the new anchor exhibit during Anderton Boat Lift centre opening hours.

For more information about visiting, please check out the Canal and River Trust website at canalrivertrust.org.uk/places-to-visit/anderton-boat-lift-visitor-centre.