THE SPIRIT of Rebecca and her rioting sisters is set to come to life on a normally quiet section of canal in Cwmbran on Saturday.

A group of canal enthusiasts and boat owners are staging a high-spirited 'protest' at an alleged lack of investment in Cwmbran's canal by Torfaen council.

The protesters plan to don women's clothes in memory of the 19th century Rebecca Riots, where men dressed as women waged a three-year campaign against tolls on turnpike roads.

Just as tolls were an obstacle on Welsh roads 150 year ago, the 21st century 'Rebeccas' say bridges and roads are obstacles on the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal today.

In Cwmbran, much of the canal is underground and cannot be navigated by boats. They want to see the canal fully opened.

Organiser Colin Evans, a committee member of the Goytre Boat Owner's Association, said: "Newport and Caerphilly councils are very proactive when it comes to safeguarding the future of the canal, but Torfaen council are doing next to nothing.

"Much of the canal in Cwmbran cannot be navigated. We want to see it opened all the way through the Torfaen area to connect with Newport. "Our first aim is to see Five Locks fully restored. A fully working canal could make Cwmbran a tourist attraction."

Mr Evans, 46, a plumbing and heating engineer, said the group came up with the idea of dressing up as women to get their message across. He said: "The Rebecca rioters felt strongly about their fight, and we feel strongly about this.

"It's a light-hearted attempt to get Torfaen to restore their section of the canal."

British Waterways is responsible for the navigable sections of canal from Pontypool up to Brecon, but from Sebastopol to the border with Newport Torfaen council is responsible.

Rebecca and her sisters are protesting at a boat rally and fun day at Five Locks, Cwmbran at 1pm on Saturday.