A POWERBOAT owner has launched an expensive campaign opposing the impending speed ban on Windermere in a fresh bid to keep the issue high on the agenda.

Tony Kemp, an advertising agency operations director, has had 800,000 leaflets and 12,500 posters printed as part of Windermere Action Force's publicity drive, costing about £20,000.

Mr Kemp, of Bradford, who has a cottage in Windermere, said a lake warden had twice asked him not to distribute campaign leaflets at South Lakeland District Council's public launch site at Ferry Nab, Bowness.

He was told SLDC owned the site and supported the ban - when he refused to stop, he was told council bosses would be seeking legal advice.

But SLDC's cultural and tourism services manager Jim Walker told the Gazette: "The council is aware there was a protest on its site.

We took the decision that, providing it was a peaceful protest and didn't interfere with the normal operation of the site, it could continue.

The council supported the national park authority in its application to achieve a 10mph speed limit on Windermere."

He said there was a need for SLDC to seek legal advice in case such a protest "escalated".

But Mr Kemp told the Gazette: "They may well support the ban, that doesn't mean everyone in the area supports it."

He is confident there is time to reach a compromise on the 10mph speed limit before it comes into force in March 2005, and decided to "put his money where his mouth is".

Mr Kemp, who has a 17ft Bayliner, said his family annually spent about 60 days and £4,000 in the Lakes, and had been enjoying water sports on Windermere for 40 years.

"That right is now being taken away.

The national park area is for the enjoyment of all.

We are all responsible users.

We need to make people aware of the issue - in March 2005 our heritage is lost."

Drawing on his marketing experience, Mr Kemp has produced reams of attention-grabbing literature to highlight the issue, raise funds and establish a database of supporters to keep people informed of developments.

"We are printing newsletters and a mission statement and car window stickers.

I want a massive show of support.

If we can't get the posters to people they have nothing to put in their windows, but if we can it will give a clear indication of what people in the area think," he said.

For further information about the campaign contact Tony Kemp, at Windermere Action Force, PO Box 70, Shipley, BD18 IYE or email tony.kemp@waf.uk.com