A NEW group has been launched to protect one of the region’s most important historic sites.

Aqueducks, formed to care for the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site is throwing a party to celebrate its launch this Saturday.

Residents living right along the Llangollen Canal are invited to join the fun.

The official friends group has been formed to safeguard and develop Thomas Telford’s engineering masterpiece, which is now listed alongside the Statue of Liberty and Great Barrier Reef on the UN list of global attractions.

Community development officer Piers Warburton heads the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal Community Project, which has provided hands-on experiences for communities to increase their knowledge and understanding of the site.

Paying tribute to the commitment of Aqueducks, he said: “Our two-year project brought together 10 principal communities along this 11-mile World Heritage Site corridor.

“But it is the passion and dedication of individuals who are taking on new skills that will really deliver benefits as visitor numbers to this unique and beautiful region increase.”

On Saturday a host of produce stalls, family attractions and children’s activities will descend on Trevor Basin.

Stalls will range from the National Trust’s nearby Chirk Castle to Garth and Trevor Community Centre’s ‘guess the name of the sheep’.

Piers said: “The fun starts at noon and continues throughout the day until 5pm.

“Previous fun days around the aqueduct have proved hugely popular with communities and visitors alike, so we’re expecting bumper crowds for this one.”