A CANAL boat owner who suffered an intimidating ordeal at the hands of a gang of youths is warning that boaters are starting to steer clear of Kidderminster.

The Shuttle/Times & News reported last week how holidaymakers from Somerset were pelted with stones on a narrowboat in the town.

Now Simon May, from Wolverhampton, has told police how he had to put up with 20 minutes of verbal abuse and intimidation from a group of around a dozen youths aged from under 10 to 15.

He saw them swimming in Caldwall Lock near the town centre as he approached at around 6pm on Friday evening and warned them to get out in case of an accident with his 12-ton steel narrowboat.

"It was very upsetting - you're very vulnerable on a narrowboat as you have to stay outside to keep steering," said the 57-year-old local government officer, who was travelling on his own.

"I had to go down in the lock while they stood on the side up above shouting abuse at me. I had to stop them jumping across the boat because it's potentially very dangerous. I thought they might get inside. I was firm enough with them to keep them away."

The incident left Mr May so shaken he changed his travel plans. He was due to pick up friends - a couple and their two young children, from Stourport - but he called to meet them elsewhere because he did not want to run the risk. "I got up early the following day and went back towards Wolverhampton at about 7am," he said.

"I changed my mind about stopping to shop in Kidderminster. News travels fast on the canals and I heard a number of other people saying they were worried about travelling through the town."

Mr May, from Merridale in Wolverhampton, said he journeyed on narrowboats some years ago and bought his own 33-feet long boat, Seeley Brook, last year to use when he retires.

"The problem is getting worse," he said. "There's going to be a confrontation and someone will get hurt."

Vicky Blower, of British Waterways, said Wyre Forest was still seen as a safe area and urged boaters not to avoid it.

"We have 345 million visits a year to the canal network and the number of incidents is just a few hundred," she said.

"I don't think it's a huge problem but we are aware of it and if anyone has trouble they should contact police immediately."

Sgt Kevin Lynott, of Kidderminster police, said they had only had two incidents reported to them. "We don't think it's a significant problem but if anyone knows who these groups of young people are they should contact us," he said.