Protestors say the ban would hit the local economy

Campaigners against the 10mph limit attached boats to their cars and drove at the same speed through the streets of Kendal.

They made their way to the headquarters of the Lake District National Park Authority, which is introducing the speed limit in 2005.

They were presenting the latest in a series of studies, which claim the speed limit is unnecessary and dangerous.

The authority says the speed limit will make the lake a more tranquil place to visit.

But businesses say it will devastate the local economy, which has struggled to recovering from the foot-and-mouth crisis of 2001.

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 Windermere.

Public inquiry

Campaigners from the Keep Windermere Alive Association, claim a series of studies conclude a wide range of activities can safely take place on the lake, including the use of power boats.

The association is just one of a long line of protest groups who are trying to fight the new legislation.

They say this undermines the findings of a public inquiry into the speed limit, which said waterskiing was incompatible with other pursuits.

Former Sports and Culture Minister Kate Hoey and former Environment Minister John Gummer, were presenting a copy of the latest study, by British Marine Technology Limited, to the government in London.

Both are against plans for a speed limit.

In Cumbria, blind world water-ski champion Gerald Price was presenting the same report to the Lake District National Park Authority in Kendal.

Earlier this year Ms Hoey joined hundreds of campaigners to demonstrate against the planned 10mph limit.

If it goes ahead, the speed restriction will effectively mean the end of sports boats and activities such as water-skiing.