In a quiet corner of Runcorn, a group of residents who've been fighting to bring a disused canal back to use have found themselves thrust into the centre of a political battle.
The Unlock Runcorn group have long wanted to reconnect the Bridgewater and Manchester Ship canals, restoring what was an important water route that linked Runcorn with both Manchester and Liverpool and played a key part in the town's industrial boom.
The charity wants to reopen the canal as a regeneration project – and recently they've had a lot of attention from politicians, not least the parties vying for votes in the upcoming by-election.
"There are good places in Runcorn, there's so much going on, and it sometimes gets overlooked which is a real shame," says Stephen J Holloran, the group's community engagement officer.
"I think what the by-election is really doing is shining a spotlight and causing a debate."
