A new River Ferry, which will cross the River Derwent in Matlock Bath, will soon be in operation. It will link the two parks of Derwent Gardens and Lovers' Walks, operating from the landing stage in Derwent Gardens. The work is part of the Heritage Lottery funded Matlock Parks Project being undertaken by Derbyshire Dales District Council. Funding for the River Ferry has been received from Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Derbyshire Dales District Council is holding a 'Name the Ferry' Competition. The winner will receive a mounted print of a Matlock Bath scene together with a winner's certificate and will be invited to perform the official launch of the ferry in early April.

Councillor Andrew Lewer, Chairman of the District Council's Community and Environment Committee said: "Entrants have the chance to be part of a piece of Matlock Bath history by naming the ferry and I look forward to seeing how creative people can be with their ideas for a name. There is a super prize on offer but best of all: How often will anyone get the chance to launch a ferry in Derbyshire?"

Please send your entries to 'Name the Ferry', Derbyshire Dales District Council, Town Hall, Bank Road, Matlock Derbyshire DE4 3NN or email Nametheferry@derbyshiredales.gov.uk

Entries must be received by 5pm on Wednesday 26 March 2008.

Alison Baker, Matlock Parks Project Manager said: "The River Ferry will be ready to take passengers from the Easter holidays through to October. It will be operated by Mr and Mrs Lambert, who also operate the rowing boats in Matlock Bath."

A ferry operated in this location from Victorian times until the late 50s/ early 60s when the fare was 2 old pence. Named 'The Derwent', the old River Ferry was a wide timber boat with seats either side and carried as many as 15 passengers. Due to current safety standards, the new ferry cannot replicate the original boat. However, the design is based on features from Matlock Bath and the Jubilee Bridge, to reflect the heritage of the area, and has been undertaken by the naval architects Marine Design International (formerly McCaig and Napier). The new ferry will carry up to 8 people.

The original ferry was pulled 'hand over hand' along an overhead wire suspended across the river. The new ferry will be operated by a winding mechanism, which will pick up an underwater chain and pull the boat across the river.

The original landing stages at Derwent Gardens and Lovers' Walks were refurbished last year as part of the Matlock Parks Project. The former shop and ferry shelter buildings on Lovers' Walks were also refurbished last summer. Old photos of the buildings show that the roofs were once upturned boats, thought to be old rowing boats, which had been used on the river.

Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership has contributed grants of £141, 891 in total, to the Matlock Parks Project; £78 400 to the third phase in Derwent Gardens, Matlock Bath, which has now been completed. The river ferry will form the final element of this phase.

The Matlock Parks Project is funded by Derbyshire dales District Council with the assistance of a £2.67 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund which has enabled significant improvements to five parks; Hall Leys Park, High Tor Grounds, Lovers Walk, Derwent Gardens and Pic Tor.