Shiplake best kept lock

SHIPLAKE Lock won the award as the 'Best Kept Lock' on the Thames, the result of the vote in the Environment Agency's 2010 Thames Waterways Awards.

In addition to the award for the lock (pictured), a further 'Say it with a Smile' customer service award was won by Howard Miatt, Assistant Lock Keeper at Teddington Lock, chatting with the boaters who come through the lock, Alan Tilbury tells us.

Of Shiplake Lock, boater Barbara Bullock enthused:

"The gardens and facilities are very good at Shiplake, the floral display especially is always a very good standard and kept in excellent condition."

The award winners will be presented with a cup and plaque to mark their success.