A POPULAR lake has begun offering day launching for visitors who bring their own equipment – and kayaks can be hired from Saturday.

Siblyback Lake near Liskeard is allowing people to launch on Tuesdays and on Saturdays between 10am and 4pm.

Last year, all watersports and camping ceased at the lake, which is managed by the South West Lakes Trust.

The Trust said it was no longer financially viable to run the Activity Centre and campsite, and said that it was reviewing what would be offered.

Following a campaign by watersports members, the Trust began allowing members to launch with a buddy. Earlier this year, it said that watersports and camping would return seasonally between May and September for non-members. With these plans having been on pause due to the coronavirus, local people have now welcomed the recent announcement on launching and hire.

Measures have been put in place to protect safety, and there will be time and number limits on people using the lake.

’Safeguarding our visitors and team of employees is our priority and therefore we have certain measures in place to limit the spread of coronavirus and maintain the safety of everyone,’ said a South West Lakes Trust spokesperson.

The Trust has published the following rules for people wanting to launch:

• Book online in advance

• Ensure that you only launch well within your competency – safety cover will be limited

• Have appropriate third party insurance

• Maintain social distancing at all times and adhere to government instructions

• Fully read our updated rules and regulations available on our website via the coronavirus link - https://www.southwestlakes.co.uk/coronavirus-launch-member-…

The campsite at Siblyback remains closed at present.