A former carpenter and boatbuilder is using his skills to help restore a historic waterway.
David Peatfield, a 71-year-old volunteer from Melksham, has devoted more than 1,000 hours to the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust's restoration campaign at Pewsham Locks.
The canal trust is working to bring back to life a waterway that once connected Melksham to Chippenham through a flight of locks.
Mr Peatfield said: "We were getting to know the area and the route took us along the restored stretch near Lacock when the charity was hosting one of its open days.
"I saw a poster appealing for carpenters and it sounded perfect.
"I wanted to get involved with canal restoration but didn't realise there was something so close to home.
"I've mainly helped with the reconstruction of buildings to show how the site would have looked in the nineteenth century, spending a lot of time on the roofing.
"I've worked on the carpenter's workshop which included the installation of solar panels hidden from public view on the rear, and the dry dock which included sponsored tiles with personal messages from supporters around the world."
The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is aiming to restore the canal from the Kennet & Avon Canal near Melksham to the Thames & Severn Canal near Cricklade, eventually reconnecting to the River Thames near Abingdon.
The restored network would link towns including Chippenham, Calne, Royal Wootton Bassett, and Swindon.
Although Mr Peatfield has only been volunteering for a couple of years, he says the sense of community and progress has been a real reward.
He said: "All of the volunteers come from different walks of life and have different skills, but they're a great group of people and we always have a laugh and a joke.
"It's only possible because there are so many people working together - not only what we call the 'dirty boots brigade' attending the workparties, but also the 'clean boots brigade' working behind the scenes on fundraising and planning.
"Every role is equally important."
The trust is currently appealing for more volunteers, particularly those with skills in bricklaying, civil engineering, mechanics, planning, and project management.
However, support is also needed in other areas such as grass-cutting, planting trees and meadows, and fundraising.
Mr Peatfield said preserving and restoring the canal is an opportunity to protect heritage for the future.
He said: "You look around Pewsham Locks and see what was built more than two centuries earlier.
"It's hugely satisfying to think that our own efforts today will safeguard this site for many more years to come."