A POPULAR Middlesbrough lake has been declared clear of dangerous algae.

Warning notices will now be removed from Hemlington Lake following confirmation from the Environment Agency that water is now clear of blue-green algae.

The algae can produce potentially harmful toxins which can kill wild animals and domestic pets and the alarm was raised in May.

At the time Northumbria Water had were concerns that some homes may have wrongly plumbed domestic appliances, like toilets, to the lake, but the blue-green algae can naturally occur in warm weather in water with high nutrient content.

Middlesbrough Council staff have tested the water and given a lake the all-clear. Staff at Hemlington Lake and Recreation Centre tackled the problem by putting barley straw into the lake, which rots down and gives off a natural chemical to kill off the algae blooms.

A council spokesman said: "The all-clear follows three tests of the water over three consecutive weeks, revealing the blooms have been removed.

"Blue-green algae occur naturally in inland waters, estuaries and the sea, their growth encouraged by warm water temperatures and stable sunny conditions, particularly if the water has a high nutrient content.

"Around half of all blooms of the algae produce toxins which can be harmful to humans and some animals if consumed in significant quantities."

Staff will continue to monitor the lake.