A MYSTERIOUS phenomenon known as the Windermere Triangle which was leaving motorists out in the cold has been solved.

Shoppers parking outside Threshers - soon to be renamed AD Wines - in Crescent Road, Windermere, would return to their car only to be stuck outside scratching their heads when their key fobs would not open the doors.

Theories were rife, with nearby traffic light signals being blamed alongside CB radio signals and even a mischievous ghost.

But further investigation revealed interference from a nearby restaurant was the cause.

After hearing about the problem, Dave Thornber, an OFCOM field engineer and regular visitor to the Lakeland beauty spot, decided to investigate.

“I used something called a spectrum analyser and a directional aerial which together enable me to ‘see’ the radio signals.

"I took several bearings on the signal which led me to Lazy Daisy’s Lakeland Kitchen, opposite AD Wines.”

Once inside he quickly identified the root of the problem – Lazy Daisy’s electronic ordering system.

“Interference affecting car keyfobs is not uncommon,” he explained.

“However in my experience they are usually caused by a faulty device.

"This is the first I’ve seen where a legal and correctly functioning device has caused this problem.

“The key fobs use a very low power source to protect the life of the batteries and so their use was drowned out by the power of the till.”

Tony Benton, owner of Lazy Daisy’s readily agreed to switch channels on his system, and the car key fob puzzle was sorted out for good.

He said: “It’s been working ever since which is great news.

"We get a lot of customers from the town and from far and wide, and of course we want to keep them coming to the town and to our business, so we are really pleased.”

Anthony Dean, of AD Wines, who led the campaign to find the solution, said: “After trying to get to the bottom of this mystery for such a long time, I'm so pleased that all our customers and visitors can now finally get back to parking their cars without the fear of getting locked out.

Town centre manager Paul Holdsworth said: “I’m really pleased this problem is sorted out, and visitors to our town can once again park in peace.”