A WARNING has been issued after potentially fatal blooms of bacteria were spotted in South Lakeland.

Blue-green algae can produce toxins capable of killing wild animals, livestock and pets.

The algae — a form of bacteria — can cause vomiting, rashes, fever and muscle pain in humans if touched or swallowed.

Blooms of Cyanobacteria have now been spotted by members of the public in the waters of Windermere, the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) has confirmed.

‘Verified’ reports have been made at Millerground and Low Wray.

Last summer, a bulldog named Rolex died after ingesting blue-green algae in Windermere at White Cross Bay.

He later died in the arms of owner Alan Brown, from Newcastle.

Professor Laurence Carvalho, freshwater ecologist at UKCEH, said blue-green algae is becoming more common due to climate change ‘and the increasing amount of nutrients entering our waters, for example from sewage or fertilisers’.

Mr Carvalho encouraged the public to download UKCEH’s Bloomin’ Algae mobile phone application and report details of suspected outbreaks with photographs.

Mr Carvalho, who helped develop the app, said: “By reporting blooms via the Bloomin’ Algae app, the public is providing a rapid, early warning about outbreaks and helping to give a comprehensive picture of these harmful blooms across the UK.”

Blue-green algae may appear in other bodies of water in the Lake District as a result of the spell of warm, dry weather experienced this month.

Parents of young children are advised to keep them out of water where there is suspected blue-green algae.

Dog owners are advised to keep their pets on leads and wash their coats down as soon as possible if they enter water contaminated by the bacteria.