Hunt for the beast of Windermere

Last updated at 13:43, Thursday, 09 September 2010

EVERYONE has heard of the Loch Ness Monster.

But for the past four years, a rumour of another ‘beast’ has circulated around the Lake District.

A team of investigators have now taken it upon themselves to find the now legendary ‘Bownessie’ in the waters of Windermere.

The crack team will descend onto the shores of the famous lake on Saturday.

Psychic Dean Maynard will lead the team after a recent sighting tip-off.

The excursion is the second the team has carried out in as many years, first hunting for the ‘monster’ in the summer of last year.

Mr Maynard, who spends most of his time at his Ullswater base, said: “There are a lot of sceptical people who may not believe in what we are doing.

“But whatever happens, we are hoping it will provide a major tourism boost to the area, which in recent months is much needed.

“Last year we went with Lakes TV and managed to get some shots of what looks like the monster.

“This year we hope to gather more evidence.”

The tip-off came last week from Lancashire man Andrew Bury, who claims he first saw Bownessie on the lake 30 years ago. Mr Bury had kept quiet but spoke up after reading a magazine article about the physic.

The ‘monster’ is said to have a head shaped like that of a Labrador dog.

Several witnesses have come forward in the last four years, describing the ‘beast’ as moving in a straight line, without disturbing the water, before disappearing out of sight.

University lecturer Steve Burnip said he and his wife Eileen spotted the ‘monster’ in 2006.

Mr Burnip, 51, said: “I saw a straight line of broken water with three humps.

“It was about 20ft long and it went in a straight line up the lake.

“I nudged my wife and watched open-mouthed as it gradually faded from sight. The water was not choppy, so I know it wasn’t the wind, and I know what the wake from motor boats looks like and it wasn’t that, either.”

First published at 13:08, Thursday, 09 September 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk

http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/hunt-to-find-if-anythinglies-beneath-windermere-1.756207
(Submitted by Mark North)