A SAILING fan is hoping the Internet will give him the coverage and profile he needs to persuade the Prime Minister to order a shake-up of the Lake District National Park Authority.

Angered by the idea that he may have to pay to canoe on Lake District waters in the future, Alan Jewitt has launched an e-petition on a special Downing Street website calling for park residents to have a say on who sits on the board of the public body.

The 49-year-old Kendal man said the petition, which calls for members to be directly elected, was a "matter of principle" and he has already got the backing of council-nominated LDNPA member Stan Collins.

Mr Jewitt said residents lacked confidence in the organisation because of controversy over Windermere's 10mph speed limit; the departure of the LDNPA's chief officer Paul Tiplady after eight-months of paid leave; and recent talks about the possibility of charging canoes and rowing boats to sail on some Lake District waters.

Members of the public have until May 15 to add their names to the petition and can do so by logging on to http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/theldnpa/ For the full story, get the Gazette