Work has already started on the £8 million Lock Link – which, it is hoped, will from part of the grander Fens Waterways Link.

And on Wednesday, May 14 a presentation will show how the new lock on London Road is actually going to work.

"This is a very exciting project for Boston, and while I'm sure everyone is waiting for it to be finished, there are a lot of people interested in how it actually works," said Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership (LWP) manager Mary Powell.

The partnership – comprising the Environment Agency, Lincolnshire County Council and British Waterways – is hosting the event at the Assembly Rooms.

Project leaders from the construction team will give a presentation, and there will be a chance to raise questions.

Miss Powell said: "It is a big structure. It is not like your little black and white locks; the gates are massive."

The Lock Link, due for completion this December, is the first phase of a much larger scheme known as the Fens Waterways Link. The next stage will be to connect Boston with Spalding, and a presentation will also be given on this.

For those who like taking a trip down memory lane, a short film taken in 1948 on the river at Boston will be shown. And the LWP would like to hear from anyone who may have archive pictures or film.

The Fens Waterways Project is the biggest waterway enhancement project in Europe and, when completed, will open up 240km of waterways.

The link will connect the cities of Lincoln, Peterborough and Ely, incorporating the towns of Boston, Spalding, Crowland and Ramsey.

There will be two presentations, one at 2pm and the other at 6pm. Admission is free, but to ensure there are places for everyone attendance should be confirmed at dilys.britt@lincolnshire.gov.uk or on 01522 550615.