David Trimble was thrilled when he heard the Conservative party conference was being held in Birmingham – one of the few cities that can boast more canals than Venice.
The former first minister of Northern Ireland and Ulster Unionist party leader and his wife Daphne are boating enthusiasts and the couple spent three days travelling to the event on their very own canal boat.
They are sleeping on board for the duration of their stay in Brum but will have to leave the conference early to be sure of getting it back to its moorings on time.
