VANDALISM and crippling repair bills are putting city boat trips along the Union Canal at risk.

The Edinburgh Canal Society, which runs the boat trips every week, fears it will have to cut its fleet in half if it does not secure cash to carry out essential repairs.

Around a thousand people climb aboard the society's two boats every year to enjoy the half-hour or hour-long trips from Merchiston to Tollcross.

But recent vandalism and wear and tear means the society will have to fork out hundreds of pounds to get the boats back up to standard.

The society's boat house at Ashley Terrace Bridge is also desperately in need of a major overhaul. A structural engineer is currently assessing the extent of the damage, but it is believed the repair bill will run into thousands.

The Edinburgh Canal Society was established about 20 years ago to campaign for the then-derelict Union Canal to be opened up and used by city residents.

Over the past few years it has bought two boats, which can accommodate about a dozen people at a time for a leisurely trip along the canal.

They are charged just £1 for half an hour, which goes towards running costs.

But Andy Devenport, chairman of the Edinburgh Canal Society, said the future of the trips will be thrown into doubt if the cash is not found soon.

He said it would be a great loss to the community if they had to cut the number of trips, as they are enjoyed by dozens of people every Sunday. He said: "We aim to make people aware of the canal and get people on to it.

"I know you can hire out canal boats, but you almost need to take out a mortgage to do that so this is a cheap way to give people their first taste of the canal.

"We need to get the boats out of the water when the season finishes in October to get work started on them.

"A lot of the work we can do ourselves, but bits of it need professionals.

"If we don't get the money, one of the boats, which has quite severe rot, will definitely have to go. We will have no option because if it can't pay its way, we can't afford to pay it.

"If we had to give it up, it would be disappointing."

Mr Devenport said vandals have been getting access to the boats via back gardens by climbing over a wall, which is adding more and more to the already high repair bill.

He added: "Both of the boats have been vandalised on a few occasions, as has the boat house.

"They have twisted and broken the canopy, which is quite lightweight, and have tried to break into the boat house. They have also thrown planters into the canal."

Society treasurer Derek McDonald said: "I've got my own boat there and I once had one stolen and set on fire so it was completely destroyed.

"I wouldn't say vandalism is a regular occurrence, but when it happens it sets us back and you can get really fed up at times.

"There's always the risk that at some point we would have to say enough is enough, but we don't want to give up."

The society insists it is going to fight to keep both boats on the water.

It plans to apply for funding for the repairs as soon as it has a detailed report of how much it will cost.

Edinburgh Canal Society - Classic Canal Cruises [3]