BOWNESSIE, Windermere's enigmatic answer to the Loch Ness Monster, made a an extremely rare appearance as the star of a fancy-dress boat parade at Bowness Bay.

The scaly green creature rippled along the length of a sailing boat owned by Andrew Taylor, commodore of the Lake District Boat Club, and his wife Sally.

Dressed in pith helmets and period hunting costumes, they won the best in parade prize on Saturday evening, and were joined on board the 34-foot yacht French Connection by fellow club members Adrian and Tracy Lucas.

Club committee member Gail Twiss, who organises the annual decorated boat parade, hailed the event a success, with 18 craft entered. Leading the fancy-dress flotilla was a 1939 motor launch, Niaid Errant, one of the legendary 'little ships' that rescued soldiers during the evacuation from Dunkirk in 1940. The historic craft required no fancy dress and was decorated simply with bunting, said Gail.

The team prize went to Shamrock, owned by the Shamrock Trust and one of the three remaining original Windermere steam saloon launches.

Onlookers took up viewing positions along the lakeside to watch the parade, whose ten judges included club president Val Kirk and mayor of Windermere Leith Hallatsch. Parade organiser Gail thanked the local businesses who generously gave prizes.

Results. Best in parade: French Connection, theme 'hunting for Bownessie'. Best-dressed cruiser: Good Vibrations, theme 'celebrating two engagements'. Best-dressed yacht: Bella II, theme 'Bring Me Sunshine'. Small craft: Niaid Errant, wartime armed motor launch. Team award: Shamrock, 1906 steam launch. Most topical: Painkiller, theme 'the Olympics'.