DUDLEY Canal Trust is on the crest of a fundraising wave after scooping a £100,000 donation for its Portal project.

The trust collected the cash from The Garfield Weston Foundation to swell the coffers for their new visitor centre, which is due to be built at the Trust’s Todd’s End site.

The centre will improve links between the Dudley Canal and Limestone Mines and the Castle Hill Development Project including the nearby Black County Living Museum.

Improvements at the centre will include new car parking, a swing bridge across the canal and improved facilities for people taking boat trips.

Mike Duley, chairman of the Portal Project steering group, said: “The Portal would simply not be possible without our generous funders; it is thanks to them that we look forward to welcoming visitors to our new building next year.”

Construction on the new building will start before the end of the year and the new portal is expected to open in around 12 months.