Toxic algae forces water sports ban at Llangorse Lake

Possible side effects of the blue-green algae include skin rashes, eye irritation, vomiting, diarrhoea and muscle pain

Water sports have been banned at a lake in Powys after toxic blue-green algae was identified.

Llangorse Lake, near Brecon, is popular with water skiers, sailors and anglers.

Powys council's environmental health service took the decision after receiving information from Public Health Wales and the Environment Agency.

Pet and livestock owners have also been warned to keep their animals away from the water.

Possible side effects of the toxins include skin rashes, eye irritation, vomiting fever, diarrhoea and muscle pain.

Children are at greater risk than adults of developing problems because of their comparative lower body weight.

The location of the algae is caused by the conditions, such as wind direction and rainfall. It also expands and contracts depending on the amount of sunlight and temperature.

Steve Clinton, the council's public protection manager, said: "Blue-green algae has the potential to cause illness if swallowed or even by just coming into contact with it.

"Blue-green algae occurs naturally in inland waters, estuaries and seas and cannot be removed or treated."

Llangorse Lake is in the Brecon Beacons National Park. The authority has put up warning signs in the area.

Park conservation manager Paul Sinnadurai said: "Llangors Lake is a popular destination for locals and visitors and is an important site for water recreation, walking and bird watching.

"We have taken immediate steps to advise residents, visitors and users of the lake to be sensible and to follow the advice from Powys County Council.

"It's really important that people pay attention to these warning notices and make sure their children and their pets avoid contact with affected water."