WILD Shore Delamere in Cheshire has closed until next week after blue-green algae was detected in its lake.

The site, located in Chester Road in Oakmere, Northwich, closed on Monday as a precaution and is set to reopen on August 11 – after continued testing of the water to protect staff and customers.

A spokesperson said: "On Monday (August 2) in the morning, we discovered a small, concentrated bloom of algae which had developed over night.

"We took the decision to test the bloom and close, for a short period of time, as a precautionary measure until we could test and understand the wider water quality.

"While blue-green algae was detected in the concentrated algae bloom, we have continued to test the lake in four key areas, on a daily basis, and the on-going tests continue to show safe results.

"We will remain closed until August 10.

"This will give us adequate time to comprehensively test the water on a daily basis and map the data on the water quality.

"It is our intention to re-open on August 11.

"Staff and customer safety is our highest priority and we are confident that the measures put in place will ensure the safety of both."

Blue-green algae are microscopic organisms which are naturally present in lakes and streams.

Under certain conditions the algae can become abundant and produce toxins which cause illness in humans and can even be fatal to animals.