Cardiff's Roath Park lake is drained to prevent algae

Roath Park lake is being drained to tackle spreading algae

An award-winning city lake is being drained to prevent algae from spreading.

Roath Park lake in Cardiff is having the water level lowered and vegetation cut back to prevent the spread of the green weed.

The suburban beauty spot was recently rewarded with a Green Flag award which recognises the best green spaces in England and Wales.

The park is also undergoing a litter clean-up as part of it's annual clean.

Cardiff council's cabinet member for leisure Nigel Howells said the city was working to tackle the algae spread.

"The work taking place is the annual clearing of Roath Park lake, which involves removal of vegetation from around the edge of the lake which can unfortunately experience a build up of litter," Mr Howells added.

"The park will see works taking place this month that involves lowering the water level in the lake in order to cut back foliage and vegetation which will prevent litter and debris gathering to allow it to flow to more accessible areas."

A clear Roath Park lake, a popular tourist attraction in Cardiff

Mr Howells called the park one of the city's "best loved attractions".

John McFadyen, 59, who lives nearby, said the algae is an annual occurrence.

"You do see this problem every year. They do an annual clean up of the lake up but the algae always returns.

"They normally go out on a boat and take the algae off the lake and leave it on the side to dry before getting rid of it.

"I can see the lake's been drained so it's not looking great at the moment but the parks service do a fantastic job of maintaining the area."