THE Forth and Clyde Canal winding its way through Glasgow has been under-used for decades.

The once bustling waterway for transporting goods to factories throughout the central belt had lain dormant with its canalside sites falling into disrepair as industry dwindled or moved on to more suitable locations.

A fresh injection of cash in recent years has seen improvements as Scottish Canals looks to make the most of this versatile resource for the benefit of communities once more.

The Paddlesports Centre at Pinkston is one example of using the canal for recreation. but it will also help produce the next generation of competitors in watersports.

With forgotten sites being cleaned up and housing being built along the way the canal is once more coming back to life.

While there is a focus on building new facilities from scratch it is always worth remembering what can be done with what we already have.

The Pinkston Paddlesports Centre can help regeneration in a part of the city where new facilities are welcome and it will bring new visitors to the area as well as benefits to local people.

It should be a model for communities along the canal.