A portion of the Rochdale Canal in Oldham has been reopened to navigation following vandalism.

The paddle was left open at Lock 65, near Alfred Street in Failsworth, leading to a closure since Monday.

The canal was closed to boat navigation between Lock 64 Kay Lane, near Firwood Park, and Lock 81 Butler Street, in Ancoats, Manchester.

Boaters shared their frustration at the closure, meaning they could not get through.

At 2pm on Thursday, March 30, the Canal & River Trust released an update: "We are pleased to advise our teams have managed to raise the water levels and navigation has resumed between Lock 64 and Lock 81 on the Rochdale Canal."

The Oldham Times: A map shows the extent of the closureA map shows the extent of the closure (Image: Canal and River Trust/Google)

On the Rochdale Canal Facebook group, boaters shared their frustration with the closure.

Boater Daniel Farnworth said: "That's me stuck in Manchester for now, Rochdale Canals closed lock 64 to 81 as someone's left the paddle open. Update tomorrow hopefully won't take to long to fill the pound up."

Replying to another boater who shared her experience of being stuck for five weeks on a previous journey, Daniel continued: "Fingers crossed it only takes a day or two to fill back up. Hoping to get to Littlebourgh for weekend and Hebden Bridge for Easter Bank Holiday weekend."