THIS weekend the Welshpool Transport Festival is taking place and the main attraction is set to be a flypast by an iconic Spitfire fighter aeroplane which became a legend during the Battle of Britain in 1940.

The sight and sound of the iconic wartime aircraft will be filling the skies above Welshpool at 1.50pm on Saturday, June 23.

From boats to horses a wide variety of vehicles – classic, vintage, commercial and agricultural will be on display in the town, along with exhibits, throughout the day.

Welshpool town clerk, Robert Robinson, said: “Welshpool is fortunate to have a volunteer-operated heritage steam railway, the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway, running from the top of the town, while at the other end is an even older form of transport in the Montgomery Canal.

“Both organisations are fully on board with our festival, enthusiastic about the event and planning their own bespoke celebrations to run as part of it.”

As part of the weekend, free canoeing and coracle taster sessions will be on offer on the Saturday (10am - 5pm) and paddle boarding taster sessions on the Sunday (10am - 2pm). Narrowboat trips, also free courtesy of the Heulwen Trust, will be available throughout the weekend.

Also on both days will be a rare opportunity to enjoy a horse-drawn boat trip along the Montgomery Canal. For the first time in years, this unique mode of transport will take visitors along the Welsh stretch of the waterway.

Sylvia Edwards, Montgomery Canal community development officer with the Canal & River Trust, explained: “This special weekend offers visitors a marvellous chance to try out a range of exciting activities on water. Research proves people feel happier and healthier by water so it’s a great event for introducing visitors and local residents to opportunities for enjoying leisure time on the beautiful waterway.”

A special charity concert, to help the Montgomery Canal restoration, will be held on Saturday night in the Assembly Room at Welshpool Town Hall.

Tickets cost £8 each via the website www.restorethemontgomerycanal.uk/tickets or cost £10 on the door.

For more information about visiting your local canal, the Montgomery Canal restoration or becoming a Friend of the Canal & River Trust, please go to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk