PICTURE the scene.

It is a warm summer's day, your picnic is packed and you are heading to Lymm Dam to join others in rowing boats on the water.

That is the dream of Lymm man Richard Cowley who has set up the Facebook page 'Bring boating to Lymm Dam' to gather opinions on the idea

The father-of-three says the campaign was inspired after friends saw two boys having fun on the water in a kayak and believes it could help to ensure the village remains a 'happy and healthy place'.

Richard, aged 41, added: "They looked like they were having a great time and working in Chester I'm used to seeing people enjoying boating on the river.

"I used to live in Chorlton and we would have days out in Lymm and think of it as a destination.

"And people should come and visit Lymm and help the independent traders."

So far Richard has suggested 10 rowing boats would operate during the summer time only at weekends from 11am to 6pm.

His idea includes 100 per cent of profits going to charities in the area as well as funding swimming lessons in WA postcode areas.

Richard adds he knows the campaign will not be popular with some, including anglers and bird watchers, but he says he is keen to ask the question to see what people think.

The landscape architect said: "I'm passionate about it as in my job I'm used to looking at how space is used.

"I want the village to survive rather than get crushed by large external retail forces.

"Lymm is fragile and it wouldn't take much for lots of shops to go bankrupt.

"People will say leave things as it is but we are in a modern town constantly expanding and improving things so the question needs to be asked about Lymm Dam.

"I'm not bothered about permits at the moment as if it's a really good idea things will happen, I'm just interested in peoples' feedback."