HUNDREDS of boat owners are staging a mass protest rally against the 10mph speed limit on Windermere this weekend.

Small pleasure craft are expected to parade alongside powerboats and speedboats on Sunday afternoon as part of the Keep Windermere Alive Association's (KWAA) campaign to raise the national profile of the anti-10mph lobby.

Organisers of the procession around Bowness Bay hope to attract the same level of support as at last August's water-borne demonstration on Windermere, which was hailed to be the largest of its kind with a massive flotilla of more than 400 vessels.

Protesters say the speed ban, which is due to come into force in 2005, will lead to millions of pounds of lost revenue for the tourist economy by keeping away high-spending water-skiers and power-boaters, while triggering more than 100 job losses.

Keith Molloy, secretary of the Windermere Water-Skiers' Association and a member of the KWAA, said this weekend's protest was part of a long-term aim to keep 'drilling on with the message'.

He said: "This protest is just one aspect of our overall strategy and if we only get 200 boats, the point is still made."

The protest is due to start at 2.30pm on Sunday from The Glebe, Bowness.