North Lanarkshire Council, together with the Glasgow Triathlon Club and the British Triathlon Federation, has today taken the decision to cancel the British Age Group Sprint Triathlon Championships in Strathclyde Park, North Lanarkshire, due to take place on Strathclyde Loch this Sunday the 25th May. The council, in consultation with SEPA and NHS Lanarkshire took the decision to cancel the event following the identification of high levels of an unusual algae bloom in the loch.

"It is important to stress that there is no evidence to suggest that this unusual algae - the Chrysochromulina parva (C. parva) phytoplankton – is in any way harmful to humans," said the council's Countryside and Landscape Manager John Turnbull. However, we have been advised that a related algae can cause skin irritations, and therefore, as a precaution, we took the decision to suspend all immersion sports until the loch's usual conditions have re-established."

"We are obviously very disappointed that the event has had to be cancelled, but our first priority is the health and safety of the competitors. We will now consider holding the championships on an alternative date and athletes will be informed via our website," said British Triathlon's Event Officer, John Muddeman.

Swimming – other than as part of properly organized and supervised sporting events – is not allowed in Strathclyde Loch at any time, and there are signs around the loch advising the public that this is the case. Additional signage is currently in place to advise that all immersion sports – canoeing, windsurfing, water ski-ing and open water swimming - are currently suspended. The problem at the loch was initially identified at the beginning of this month, when a number of dead fish were found on the shores.

"There have been no reports of harm to human health with this particular type of algal toxin," said Dr Eleanor Anderson, Consultant in Public Health Medicine with NHS Lanarkshire. "However, other related algae have caused symptoms such as skin irritation in humans as well as health concerns in animals. Due to the recent fish deaths in the loch, therefore, we are recommending that as a precaution, members of the public follow the advice to avoid contact with the water. Pet owners should also keep pets away from the water. Pets should be washed in clean water if they go in accidentally. No fish from the loch should be taken or consumed by humans or animals until further notice. We are continuing to work with North Lanarkshire Council and SEPA to monitor the situation closely."

For any queries call 01509 226188 or go to: www.britishtriathlon.org