THE body restoring the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal wants to expand its knowledge of the waterway's social history.

British Waterways is appealing to people living along the 12-mile route to scour attics and garages for photographs, film, diaries and memorabilia about the canal that brought prosperity to the area 150 years ago.

The appeal comes after plans were unveiled to carry out a £32 million restoration of the canal.

It will help to generate 6,000 new jobs and training opportunities, and create 1,300 new homes with the regeneration of brownfield sites along its route.