WHEN skimming stones comes to mind, the majority of us may conjure up memories of childhoods spent at the beach, hurling pebbles into the surf.

However, this weekend hundreds were drawn to Fell Foot Park, on Windermere, to watch the competitors at the All England Stone Skimming Championship make a splash.

Some of the best competitive skimmers in the country, as well as novices young and old, were drawn to the lake to take part in a day of fun and games.

Painstakingly selected stones, circular and smooth, were doled out to competitors as an orderly line formed leading up to the water's edge.

Gareth Twamley, 38, of Cardiff, had travelled up from Wales to take part in the event.

After seeing a YouTube video two years ago, Mr Twamley decided to throw himself into the sport, quickly discovering his natural talent for skimming.

He said: "There was a whole community of skimmers; I was invited to the Welsh Open two years ago but this is my first time here in The Lakes."

Mr Twamley's personal best for skimming stands at 92m, not too far short of the world record of 102m - to put that in context, the average football pitch is 90m long.

Also in attendance was the newly-crowned winner of the British women’s stone skimming championships in Shropshire, Charlotte Greenway.

Miss Greenway, 32, had a less conventional path to glory, deciding to enter the championship when she was hungover one Sunday.

Entering for a bit of fun proved a winning idea, as she took home first place with a skim of 45m.

Today she had a message for younger girls who may think about taking up skimming, saying: "Just enjoy it; don't be too scared and just have fun."

Organised by the South Cumbria Rivers Trust, the day was meant to entertain, as well as raise awareness for the work the trust does in protecting our county's waterways.

Julius Barratt, trustee of the SCRT, said: "We are one of a number of trusts around the country and our job is to protect and enhance the still water and rivers of south Cumbria."

Competitors were charged to use skimming stones with the money raised going to the SCRT, however, Mr Barratt said the awareness raised was more important than money.

"In a good year, I'm a happy chap if we can get around £1,000, but the purpose of today is to raise the profile of the trust."