MYSTERIOUS shreds of blue plastic seen littering Windermere’s shoreline have been identified.

Bowness resident Keith Rennie contacted The Mail after seeing 'unsightly' fragments along the eastern lake shore at Cockshott Point while walking his Hungarian Vizsla dog, Boo.

The Environment Agency said it had been made aware of a pollution incident at Ferry Nab on February 17 concerning the discharge of blue plastic into the lake.

A spokeswoman said: “The cause was quickly identified as an issue with the flywheel driving the Windermere ferry and resulting in blue plastic surrounding the tow-line shearing off into the lake.

“Actions are being taken by the company to rectify the problem including replacement of the flywheels and a foreshore litter pick on the west and east shore.”

Ferry operator Cumbria County Council said the blue plastic had been wrapped around the ferry’s cable.

“This was repaired last week,” said a spokesman, “and while the ferry was being repaired the crew collected the plastic from the shores of the lake.

"It should be all gone by now.”

Keith Rennie, 57, of Bowness, was puzzled by the plastic waste.

“There was an absolutely ridiculous amount of plastic,” he said.

“Needless to say, it stuck out like a sore thumb.”

Mr Rennie said he was worried about birds trying to eat the plastic pieces.

National Trust ranger Roland Wicksteed said he was among the team who had been clearing up the Cockshott shoreline near Bowness.

Mr Wicksteed said he was also concerned about the plastic finding its way into the food chain.

The Environment Agency has thanked members of the public who reported the incident to them.

It added: “If you see something that does not look right in your local watercourse, report it on 0800-807060.”