THIS week we are dipping back in our archives to the 1980s.
This picture shows a unique part of Warrington's history.
Tucked away in a quiet corner of Thelwall, a ferryman takes passengers from one side of the Manchester Ship Canal to the other on a little four-seat boat.
The often-forgotten 'penny ferry' dates back to 1894 when the Manchester Ship Canal opened.
The penny ferry was established to maintain a public right of way instead of a bridge or viaduct.
The penny ferry at the end of Ferry Lane is last of its kind in the Warrington area to operate every day of the year. There is a similar service in Irlam open from April to November.
There have only been around four boats since the penny ferry – named after the original price of the journey – launched.
And it sees an oarsman learn the tricky technique to sail using a single oar at the back of the aluminium 10ft by 4ft ferry.
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