Ron and Brenda Withey setting out on their 210-mile journey

Ron and Brenda Withey have joined a narrowboat convoy to mark the last time a working boat left Northamptonshire for London.

The couple spent their childhoods and their working lives on the canals.

They set out at the weekend with 11 other canal boats on an eight-day trip to commemorate the last working run from Braunston in 1970.

The Witheys' hard and long working days were spent delivering coal and timber up and down the country.

Most at home

"It was hard work," Mrs Withey said. "Day, night, rain, winter - we had to work all through all weathers for about 10 bob for about three weeks' work."

But despite the rigours of life on the canals the couple, who do have a house on solid ground, say on the water is where they feel most at home.

"It's the way of life. We are brought up to it. I'd sooner live in a boat now than in a house," Mr Withey said.

The demanding 210-mile journey to London, with the boatmen working from 5am to 10pm, runs through 186 locks.