A BOTTLE of Champagne was poured over the bow of a brand new canal boat which was officially named by BBC South Today presenter Sally Taylor.

The John Pinkerton II made an impressive entrance at Colt Hill Wharf, in Odiham, where dozens of people lined the tow-path of the Basingstoke Canal to admire the 70ft boat arrive, with Ms Taylor on board.

The £160,000 passenger boat replaces the John Pinkerton, and was bought by Basingstoke Canal Society thanks to a generous legacy from Alan Flight, who was a member of the society.

The new boat is wider, at 10ft, creating more space for those on board, and can hold 50 people.

Along with regular two-hour trips during the summer weekends, going from the Wharf to North Warnborough, it will also be hired out for parties, weddings and private functions.

The old boat, which will be sold for around £25,000, helped the society to raise £750,000 over the 35 years of its life.

Philip Riley, chairman of the society, said: “It’s been a tremendous ambassador for the canal. But it’s now time for us to move on to champion a new boat.”

Ms Taylor officially launched the boat, named after the contractor who built the canal, and said: “I think I have been on the John Pinkerton a couple of times, once when filming and another for pleasure because I love this canal, I really do. I have often hired barges and gone up and down with my family because we love it so much.”

She described the new boat as “fabulous” and added: “The great thing about it is, this will, I’m sure, raise as much money as the old John Pinkerton has done over the years.

“I would like to pay tribute to all the volunteers and people who have been involved in this project.

“It’s a tremendous asset to the Basingstoke canal to have the John Pinkerton II – long may it continue.”