Harmful toxins have been discovered in a sailing club’s lake.

The Environment Agency carried out tests at Blackwater Lake, Heybridge Basin, on July 15 and found levels of blue-green algae were above the safe limit.

Maldon District Council has placed warning notices around the lake to notify users of the risk.

Blackwater Sailing Club, which owns the lake, said the discovery will not affect their sailing activities.

Commodore Paul Trueman said the water will be retested towards the end of this week.

He said adults can continue to sail at their own risk but parents must take the decision for cadet members and swimming in the lake is inadvisable.