How the process of building Britain's canals resulted in furthering geological knowledge, as surveyor William Smith created the first geological map of England and Wales.

Liz McIvor recounts the story of 'canal mania', the period of activity that helped develop Britain's modern financial economy, now centred in London.

Liz McIvor recounts the tales of the men who built the canals - the navigators, or navvies - focusing on their work on the Manchester Ship Canal.