Brightlingsea boating lake has been closed to the public until further notice following the discovery of toxic blue-green algae.

According to the Environment Agency, contact with the algae can cause skin rashes, while swallowing if can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness and fainting. The algae, which can look like green flakes, greenish bundles or brownish dots, can kill domestic pets.

Brightlingsea Town Council has placed warning notices around the Promenade Way lake and proposes to try and resolve the issue by opening the sluice gate and flushing on the high spring tides between May 27 and 31.

The main users of the lake – the model boat club and the scouts, which operate rowing boats for hire – have been informed.

Blue-green algae, technically known as cyanobacteria, is a collection of microscopic organisms that are naturally present in lakes and streams. A combination of shallow water and strong sunlight – such as during the current warm spell – means it can form blooms that discolour the water or floating mats or scum on the surface. A similar outbreak of on the boating lake occurred in July 2022.

Further information on the algae can be found here.