A WORLD-CLASS slalom water skier whose love of the sport started during childhood holidays to Windermere has been honoured with an OBE.

Andy Mapple, a six-times world champion whose parents live in the Lake District, received the award this week for his services to water skiing.

The irony of such recognition will not be lost on campaigners against the 10mph speed limit to be imposed on England's largest lake in 2005.

Mr Mapple, who now lives in Florida with his wife Deena and children, accepted his OBE on Tuesday before meeting with MP Kate Hoey at the House of Commons in a bid to get the speed ban overturned.

He was joined by his wife, and father Roy; as well as Kevan Furber, of lobby group Windermere Action Force; John Andrews, of the Windermere Water-ski Association; and Brian Parry, North West chairman of the British Federation for Sport, Recreation and Conservation.

Mr Andrews told the Gazette Kate Hoey had offered practical advice on who to approach in the bid to ensure water-skiing's future on Windermere.

He said campaigners were now keen to get Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Collins on board to strengthen their lobbying power to see the ban overturned, get an exemption from the ban for clubs and power boat races, or help to find alternative facilities.

"Andy's achievements rank alongside those of Steven Redgrave - he has done that for British water skiing.

No-one can get near him, and he is 40 years old," said Mr Andrews.

"His wife is an ex-world slalom champion.

Together they have a couple of kids.

We don't know what they will do, but they need this training ground."