AN ENVIRONMENT Agency recruit is swapping the airways for the waterways in a new scheme to sign up volunteer lock keepers.

The assistant lock keepers, who work alongside lock and weir keepers, are taking part in an Environment Agency initiative to get the community more involved in looking after the River Thames.

More than 120 people applied to help run and maintain locks along the Thames and the first volunteers started in mid-June.

There are now 60 volunteer staff helping boats through the locks and giving advice to visitors.

One of the volunteers is Mike Cragg, 39, from Benson, who joined after spotting a poster appealing for new recruits.

Mr Cragg, a long-haul aircraft cabin manager for British Airways, said working outside by the river was the perfect complement for his full-time role. He said: “I’m really enjoying it and find it very rewarding.

“There are one or two interesting challenges, such as trying to make the best use of space in the locks to get everyone through, but generally people are out to enjoy themselves and it’s quite a relaxed environment most of the time.”

Andrew Graham, the EA’s waterways operations manager, said: “It’s great to see our volunteers taking to the river and really starting to have a positive impact on the service we are providing.

“Over time, we will be encouraging volunteer and community involvement in a wide range of activities along the length of our rivers.”

Volunteers attend a two-day induction course before they start.