Algae warning in Unst

THE WATER of a popular fishing loch in Unst has been confirmed as being contaminated with blue green algae.

Environmental health officers have now put up notices at the Loch of Cliff that contact with the algae scum should be avoided.

Maggie Sandison of Shetland Islands Council said that at this stage there was no adverse effect on water supplies, but landowners and fishing interests had been advised of the situation, as had SEPA and NHS Shetland.

People coming into contact with toxic scums could suffer skin rashes, eye irritations, vomiting and diarrhoea, fever and pains in muscles and joints, and have caused deaths of livestock and dogs

Mrs Sandison said that the actions currently taken were precautionary.