A BOAT to allow anyone and everyone to roll around on the river has been made in West Devon and will be added to the 13 boats available in the South West from the Wheelyboat Trust.

The 17ft boat, which allows people with all sorts of disabilities to access the water, has been made in Albaston. This is the first Wheelyboat to be made in this area, and will be launched for use in Bude.

Rex Harpham, South West co-ordinator for the Wheelyboat Trust, said: This new one can hold up to 18 people its like a small landing craft. It is a category C boat, made from marine grade aluminium so they are virtually maintenance-free. People can get on and off it through the bow.

Rex said he thinks there is a need for a Wheelyboat on the River Tamar: I think the Tamar would be ideal for the boats but we need organisations to come forward to run them. We just build and distribute the boats and then they are taken over and run by various organisations.

The Wheelyboat Trust was originally set up to make boats for disabled fishermen in 1985, but with an increase in demand the trust now makes the boats for whatever requests they receive.

For more information about the Wheelyboat Trust, contact Rex Harpham on 01822 615953.