THE quality of bathing water in South Lakeland has been awarded top marks.

Water quality at all four designated bathing water locations at Windermere - Lakeside YMCA, Millerground Landing, Rayrigg Meadow and Fell Foot - has been rated "excellent" for a fourth consecutive year - the top rating.

Officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs notified South Lakeland District Council after checks by the Environment Agency.

Simon Rowley, SLDC’s Assistant Director of Neighbourhood Services , said: “This is great news. The water quality at these four sites has now been rated as 'excellent' for the past four years.

“Windermere is a wonderful natural asset for this area and the many thousands of people that visit the lake every year can be reassured that the water quality at these four designated bathing sites has all been classified as first rate.’’

SLDC operates a team of lake wardens who look after the lake and its visitors, operating a patrol and rescue service and also monitoring and reporting any issues with pollutants or contaminates that may affect water quality.

SLDC is also responsible for providing public information about bathing water quality at all bathing waters in its area.