Canoe construction gets boost from Lathams

James Latham plc has helped a designer to build a canoe based on traditional Canadian methods of construction.

Peter Lawrence selected western red cedar and ash timbers for the project from the company's Purfleet depot.

John May, director of James Latham's timber division, said: "It demonstrates the versatility of our products, and this particular species, western red cedar, was just perfect for this sort of project where the wood would come into regular contact with the water."

The cedar, which Lathams says dries quickly with little deterioration, was sourced from the northern Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest.