THE Easter Boat Gathering 2011 at the National Waterways Museum will be a spectacular celebration of canals and inland boating culture.

During Easter there will be hundreds of boats and barges from across the canal network with traditional barge fun and games, along with a Sea Shanty Festival and performance by Mikron Theatre.

After the festivities the historic boats will be taken to Liverpool for the Liverpool Spring on the Waterfront event from April 29-May 8.

There will be more fun with the historic canal boats and interactive displays of traditional crafts, lectures, battle of the tugs, boaters games and canal boat tours.