VISITORS to Bassenthwaite Lake are to benefit from eight interpretation panels featuring specially commissioned illustrations of the lake.

The boards are going up around the national nature reserve to provide information about the wildlife which abounds in the environmentally sensitive area.

They also advise how people can minimise their impact on the environment, and list permit outlets for angling, windsurfing, sailing and canoeing.

They have been created by artist Bob Henfrey, and bird paintings by Jonathan Hicks. More than 70 varieties of birds breed on and around the lake, including the famous ospreys, tufted ducks, goldeneyes, coots, pochards, mallards and widgeons. The lake is also home to a wide variety of fish, such as the rare vendace, roach, dace and pike.

English Nature has given financial assistance to the scheme, while The Lake District National Park Authority owns and manages the area.

As well as being a National Nature Reserve, Bassenthwaite also has special status in Europe.

LDNPA Interpretation co-ordinator James Cook said: "We believe Bassenthwaite is a good example of achieving a balance between managing an environmentally precious area and enabling people to enjoy its tranquillity. Many lake users want to know more about the natural environment they come to enjoy, so we're delighted to be able to provide it on these eye-catching, informative panels".