AN APPEAL has been launched to leave a lasting legacy marking the 200 year history of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

The waterway, which passes through Apperley Bridge and the edge of Horsforth, is marking its bicentenary with a series of events and a project to restore or replace missing mileposts.

The Canal and River Trust hopes the EveryMileCounts appeal will encourage groups and individuals to adopt their local stretch of canal and its mile marker. The charity is looking for sponsors to donate up to £200 to restore each milepost and volunteer work parties to help restore damaged or corroded mile posts.

A survey of the trans-Pennine canal has revealed that about a third of the original 127 mile posts are missing or severely damaged - including eight missing posts on the Yorkshire side of the waterway, a 35-mile stretch between Gargrave and Leeds.

Although the canal is 200 years old, the original cast iron mile markers date back to the 1890s. They were installed as a response to legislation introduced to regulate canal freight tolls.

Chantelle Seaborn, local waterway manager with the Canal and River Trust, said: "We are very excited to work with local communities who want to be involved with refurbishing or replacing mile markers, and the half and quarter mile markers which need re-painting. That’s over 500 posts which need restoration. We would also love to hear from sponsors who would like to preserve their local canal heritage by giving donations of £200.

Email project officer Alice Kay at alice.kay@canalrivertrust.org.uk to get involved.