The ban could hit an economy still reeling from foot and mouth

Kate Hoey is joining up to 250 boats and 1,000 campaigners on Saturday to demonstrate against a planned 10mph limit on the lake.

The limit will effectively mean the end of sports boats and activities such as water-skiing.

Local businesses say it will "devastate" the local economy, which is still struggling to recover from the foot-and-mouth crisis of 2001.

But the National Park Authority believes the speed limit will make Windermere a more tranquil place.

Ms Hoey said the authority should be able to devise a management plan dividing the lake into separate areas.

"There's plenty of room for everyone," she said.

There's plenty of room for everyone Kate Hoey

"It just seems like the National Parks Authority has got a sort of green attitude, that somehow national parks are only for total peace and tranquillity.

"This is a huge national park, there are lots of places you can have peace and tranquillity, but actually you must allow people to have the opportunity to take part in water-skiing.

"There is no need for this to happen. We could avoid this by some common sense."

She added that the safety argument was not valid as there had not been any serious accidents in recent years - and "very good" lake wardens patrolled the lake.

Decision 'will stay'

The four busiest areas of the lake already have a 6mph limit, and from March 2005 there will be a 10mph limit on the rest of the lake.

Ms Hoey became an opponent of the speed limit while she was sports minister, but she failed to persuade councillors and National Park officials to abandon the plan.

She has continued her campaign since through written questions in Parliament.

The campaigners have asked for talks with the National Park Authority to see if Windermere can be managed to provide space for fast water sports.

But a report after a public inquiry concluded there was "no conceivable way" in which the lake could be managed to accommodate both large numbers of sports boats and other pursuits such as sailing and canoeing.

The National Park Authority says it has no intention of reversing its decision.