A PASSENGER boat is one step closer to plying the River Tawe, thanks to a donation from the owner of Morfa Retail Park.

Capital & Regional gave £1,000 towards the purchase of the long-awaited Swansea Community Boat.

The trust behind the boat hopes other firms will follow suit, with time running out to secure an Assembly match fund.

Trust secretary John Davies said: "We are very grateful to Capital & Regional for this latest donation. The community boat will soon be running to Morfa and we are looking for a landing point nearby so passengers can use the facilities at the retail park."

The latest donation brings the total to £75,000 for the purchase of a boat.

Volunteers will act as crew and heritage guides, with a "floating classroom" to inspire schoolchildren during trips from the waterfront to the industrial heritage sites up the Tawe.

The trust needs a further £25,000 by October 31.