Toxic algae halts lake activities

Blue-green algae can cause asthma, blistering and diarrhoea

Water sports have been cancelled at a Manchester lake after potentially dangerous blue-green algae was found.

The algae - which has killed birds, fish and other animals in recent years and is also toxic to humans - has bloomed on Chorlton Water Park.

Fishing, canoeing and windsurfing have all been cancelled after the warm weather caused the algae to flourish.

Warning signs have been erected as the organism can cause asthma, nausea, rashes, blistering and diarrhoea.

'Stay away'

Manchester City Council spokesman Mark Hackett said: "We are urging people to co-operate and stay away from the water.

"This is a popular place for all water sports and we are sorry for any inconvenience."

The presence of algae at the water park was confirmed after tests were carried out by the Environment Agency.

The council is now working with the agency to minimise the impact of the algae, which occurs naturally - usually after a warm, wet period - and disappears with colder weather.

Some of the summer activities scheduled to take place on the lake have been moved to Sale Water Park.