Skier's 'human rights' speed bid

Mr Price, right, broke the speed record with Mark Threadgold

A record-breaking blind water-skier is threatening a legal challenge to a speed limit on England's largest lake.

Gerald Price, 74, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, claims a 10mph limit on Windermere breaches human rights legislation.

The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) outlawed high-speed craft in March 2005, in a move to restore the lake's tranquillity.

Lawyers for Mr Price have given officials 35 days to settle the matter.

Mr Price is backed by the Keep Windermere Alive Association (KWAA), which has been lobbying for the speed limit to be scrapped.

'User-friendly sport'

He set a world record for blind water-skiing in October 2004, by skimming across Windermere at 46.2mph. But he says hopes of achieving further records have been thwarted by the bylaw.

He has now warned the authority if a deal cannot be reached, he will take to the lake and break the limit.

Mr Price said: "I just cannot understand why anyone would want to effectively ban water-skiing at Windermere."

He said water-skiing was one of the most user-friendly sports for disabled people.

Tony Child, of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw solicitors, who are representing Mr Price, said: "I hope that the LDNPA will agree to enter into a dialogue with our clients and other interested parties. There can be no sensible reason not to do so."

So far Windermere businessman Nick Fieldhouse is the only person convicted of exceeding the limit. He was fined £200 by Kendal magistrates in October 2005.