Water sports enthusiasts are taking part in a weekend of action to oppose a speed limit on Lake Windermere in Cumbria.

Waterskiers and powerboaters want a decision to impose at 10mph speed limit on the lake reversed.

The Windermere Action Force (WAF) is offering 750 free water sport sessions on 31 August and 1 September to show various activities can co-exist.

But the Lake District National Park Authority says a ten year debate, including a three month public inquiry, means the speed limit will still come into force in 2005.

Powerboats will be banned from March 2005

Tony Kemp, of WAF said: "We are trying to get the message across that these activities on Windermere are safe.

"People have to realise that in March 2005 these sports will be banned on Windermere forever.

"There are 22 lakes in the Lake District national park and Windermere is the only one where you can practice waterskiing.

"We've got world champions who were brought up on this lake and now these sports are being banned."

Mr Kemp says there should now be a change of mind in the wake of the Foot and Mouth crisis and the need to attract tourists to the area.

Local councillors and national park officials say the by-law is designed to stop fast power boats and jetskis taking over the famous inland water.