Lake reopens for boat races after algae tests

The EA said its officers took samples from the lake and gave advice to the council

A lake used for model boat races has reopened to the public after tests revealed an improvement in levels of toxicity.

In May, the Environment Agency (EA) advised that Brightlingsea Boating Lake near Colchester be closed off after a sample revealed harmful levels of blue-green algae.

Brightlingsea Town Council, which maintains the lake, revealed on Wednesday that it was now safe for "authorised use" because the blue-green algae count had dropped.

"I know people will be absolutely thrilled to bits," said Simon Collyer, from the Brightlingsea Model Boat Club.

"We understand that the authorities have got a responsibility for people's health and the health of pets as well."

Mr Collyer said he felt "very frustrated" when the lake closed originally, but accepted that no-one at the EA was going to "take any gambles".

Also known as cyanobacteria, blue-green algae spores may naturally appear in environments with an abundance of sunlight or hot temperatures.

However, ingesting it can cause illness or irritation.

Warmer and sunnier weather is likely to increase the levels of the algae.

"What I think is going to be important is how we deal with things next year, because there are chemicals and there are means of tackling this," said Mr Collyer.

Brightlingsea Model Boat Club organises races between radio-controlled boats every Sunday.

Potentially harmful levels of blue-green algae were found in the water in May

Terry Hamilton, the grounds manager at Brightlingsea Town Council, said the recent cooler weather helped reduce the algae levels.

But the council also tackled the problem by opening up a slough to the sea during tidal changes, and a dye was used to stop the algae from blooming.

He said all the council could do was "keep an eye" on it next summer.

An EA spokesperson confirmed that its officers found blue-green algae at Brightlingsea lake and subsequently gave advice to the town council.

They explained: "Blue-green algae is a naturally occurring environmental phenomenon that is more likely to appear during warm, settled, dry weather. It can pose risks to both animals and humans."