PERSUADING the public to believe in a "pipe dream" was never going to be plain sailing, but the woman at the helm of the Lancaster Canal marketing campaign is ready for the challenge.

The newly-appointed British Waterways marketing manager for the Lancaster Canal, Claire Chapman, believes barges could be cruising into Kendal by 2008 and is on a mission to share the vision.

Critics have branded the £30 million scheme to bring barges to the Lake District's doorstep a pipe dream.

But proponents believe restoring the Northern Reaches could attract more than one million tourists, spark 2,000 new jobs and boost the rural economy by £ 14 million.

"People have heard so much about this for so long without seeing any developments on the ground.

But it is not just a pipe dream.

This is actually going to happen and it is going to be huge.

Things are really starting to take off," said Miss Chapman.

British Waterways is now working on detailed plans to bring schools and local communities on board in a bid to encourage involvement and document the history of the canal.

The Newcastle University History of Art graduate said, with Government backing, the team behind the Northern Reaches scheme were confident it would be well under way by 2008.

"The project is gaining momentum all the time - for example we have been talking to North West Arts about the possibility of a public art project - using the canal as a way of introducing people to Cumbria.

"Ultimately I want to see the canal thriving with boaters, cyclists, anglers and walkers.

It is such a beautiful area with such potential," said Miss Chapman.