AN ERA of vintage speed-boating on Windermere came to a close with the 15th and final British Classic Motor Boat Rally last weekend.

More than 100 boats and 500 people turned up to take part in the event at the Windermere Steam Boat Museum and at the Windermere Motor BoatRacing Club.

This, the swan-song for the rally, was extended to cover five days ending on Monday, August 2.

Chris Barker, secretary and treasurer of the British Classic Motor Boat Rally, said: "Everybody is coming this year because of the 10mph speed limit coming in March next year. This is the last opportunity for a lot of the classic motor boats to be used here for what they were designed to do."

Much like driving a Ferrari round a car park at low speed, most classic speed boats are just not made to be used below 10mph, he added.

Mr Barker said the event, the biggest of its kind in the UK, attracted classic boats from all over the UK and from further afield including France, Italy, Belgium and even from the USA.

In spite of the fact that the rally will be "decimated" by the arrival of the speed limit next year, Mr Barker said: "We are determined to enjoy it in an open and happy atmosphere to get the most out of this year."

He also said he hoped that the LDNPA might yet introduce a special dispensation to allow it, and other events like it, to continue on Windermere.

Enthusiast Chris Barber, from Retford, in Nottinghamshire, was at the event with his classic 1959 Albatross motor boat which, in its day, raced all over Britain and Europe. Mr Barber, a regular at the event for the last 12 years, said it would be greatly missed by enthusiasts as Windermere provided by far the most beautiful venue for the biggest event in the classic motorboat calendar.

"Look at it," he said, "There's nowhere like it."