Last updated 09:03, Thursday, 01 May 2008

POTENTIALLY dangerous broken bottles and jagged cans were among the rubbish collected from the annual lake clean-up at Windermere.

All tidy: Windermere

Two diving groups and a dedicated band of litter-pickers on the shore gathered 60 bags of rubbish.

The bottles and cans were found at depths of between two and three metres, where they posed serious risks to lake users and wildlife.

“Litter is horrible full-stop, but when it’s capable of causing real harm it’s particularly exasperating,” said Lake District National Park Authority area ranger Steve Tatlock.

“We are indebted to local diving groups and volunteers who gave their time to deal with mindless actions by a thoughtless minority.”

Around 50 people gave up a morning to combat the problem. Steve added: “Windermere is home to a variety of wildlife, including a growing otter population, which had been absent for years. If we didn’t clean up the mess, conditions on the lake shore would slowly deteriorate. I don’t think the problem is getting any worse, but it’s not getting any better either, despite continuous campaigns and pleas to get people to use bins, take their litter home and recycle what they can.

“It would be great to get to the stage where we don’t have to organise Winderclean every year but, sadly, there’s no sign of that happening in the foreseeable future.”

OFF-ROAD vehicles are to be banned from eight ‘green lanes’ in the Yorkshire Dales, including several close to the Cumbrian border.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has decided to impose full-time regulation orders on the tracks following a programme of consultation. The orders will be reviewed after five years. Jon Avison, the YDNPA’s head of park management, said: “This is a milestone decision for us. For many years the authority has been concerned about the effects of recreational motor vehicle use on a number of routes. New legislation has made it possible for us to apply regulation orders to eight of these routes. These will help to preserve the peace and tranquillity of the National Park and enhance the enjoyment of other users.”

The eight routes that will be closed include the Cam High Road, near Ribblehead; Harber Scar Lane and Horton Scar Lane at Horton in Ribblesdale; Gorbeck Road, near Settle; Stockdale Lane, which links Settle and Malham; and Street Gate.

WILDLIFE enthusiasts are invited to spend a day exploring one of England’s best lowland peat bogs later this month.

You’ll need wellies, a picnic lunch and wet weather gear for the event on Bowness Common between Anthorn and Bowness-on-Solway.

Expect to see carnivorous plants, dragonflies and damselflies as well as some good views of the northern Lake District and across the Solway to Scotland.

The walk starts from the RSPB centre at North Plain Farm at 11am on Saturday, May 17, and is expected to finish at about 4pm. Booking is essential. Phone 016973 50005 or 016973 33055.

No buggies or dogs allowed.