YOUNGSTERS from an Oxford estate will soon be navigating the county’s waterways on a narrow boat, thanks to a £50,000 grant.

The Dovecote voluntary organisation, which runs an after-school club and holiday playschemes for children in Blackbird Leys, was given the money by Oxfordshire County Council to buy the 70ft boat .

Organisers want to show children the natural world and teach them new skills, such as map reading, orn-ithology, camp fire building and bat hunting.

They will also have the chance to steer the narrow boat and learn the do’s and dont’s of life on the water.

Carol Richards, children and families services co-ordinator at the Dovecote, based in Nightingale Aven-ue, came up with the idea when she was walking along the river.

She hopes the boat will be on the water in time for Easter next year.

Mrs Richards said: “We were walking along the river one day and thought the kids from this area can only dream of going on a narrow boat.

“It will let the kids play in a natural environment in the way we used to do and it will get them off the estate.”

She added: “We are going to organise a whole programme of opportunities.

“It’s not just a case of going on a narrow boat, we will be getting off and doing stuff with the kids.

“It will allow them to learn more about nature and their environment, and hopefully it will build their self esteem and confidence.

“They will get out and about, seeing a whole new world that they didn’t even know existed.

“They will also get to see wildlife along the way and get to run around and be free. The kids love the idea – they can’t wait.”

The Dovecote is also hoping to secure £250,000 in Lottery funding to pay for a purpose-built narrow boat and staff to operate it, otherwise it will buy a second-hand boat and train volunteer to man it.