A lake has been shut off for the second time this summer after algae developed.

Ashford council experts have temporarily closed Conningbrook main lake in the town after taking expert advice.

The country park remains open and sports clubs who use the lake have been notified. Members of the public are being advised not to go in the water and to keep dogs on leads.

The closure comes two months after a previous lake shutdown following a similar problem of algae developed.

In May three dogs died in Dartford after blue-green algae affected Brooklands Lake in Dartford.

Now, users walking around Conningbrook lake are being advised:

• Do not go in or take part in any activity on the lake
• Do not let your children go in the water
• Keep dogs on a lead and do not let them go in the water

It comes after the presence of an algal matt on the surface of the lake was confirmed this afternoon.

Further tests are being carried out by the Environment Agency to monitor the algal bloom, but it has been confirmed as being blue-green algae, similar to that encountered in June.

Algae blooms are a naturally occurring phenomenon that can be triggered by a range of factors.

Though they will clear up naturally, the advice from the Environment Agency is to advise members of the public.

It is best for humans to avoid contact with the water, as it can cause a skin rash, and it should not be swallowed, though large quantities of it must be taken in before a person would feel unwell.

However, it is harmful to animals, so they must not, under any circumstances, be allowed to enter the water.

Kent Wildlife Trust moved the cattle that were at Conningbrook in June.

Cllr Jessamy Blanford, portfolio holder for Leisure at Ashford Borough Council said: "It is disappointing that circumstances mean we have had to close the lake at Conningbrook but we respect the expert advice given to us by the Environment Agency and safety must come first. It will clear over time but we must wait for that to happen naturally.

"Until then the public should be reassured that we have acted as quickly as possible.

"We recommend everyone adheres to the advice. When the lake was closed originally in June we discovered that some people allowed their dogs to swim in the lake.

"This is not permitted, so it is vital that the public follows the safety advice. That way everyone can still enjoy the country park itself and we hope that we shall soon be able to reopen the lake."

The Environment Agency will test the water regularly and the council will continue to communicate with sports clubs over the use of the lake.