Toxic algae hits loch swim

Scotland's biggest outdoor swimming event has been postponed after toxic algae was found in Strathclyde Loch.

The one-mile British Gas Great Scottish Swim had been due to take place tomorrow at the man-made lagoon in Strathclyde Park, Lanarkshire.

But organisers Nova International called off the event after the discovery of the blue-green algae.

The algae produces toxins which can lead to a range of infections and cause vomiting, diarrhoea, pneumonia, sore throats and mouth blisters.

Organisers decided to postpone the event to allow North Lanarkshire Council to clean up the site, which is due to be used for the triathlon event at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The decision was taken on safety grounds after water quality checks by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

A spokesman for Nova International said: "This decision has been taken in the interests of the safety of swimmers.

"We are in the process of sending all participants an e-mail and, where possible, a text message, to advise of the postponement. We apologise to anybody who will be inconvenienced."