Dog walkers have been urged to take care following the discovery of a 'potentially toxic' substance at a local beauty spot.

Blue-green algae is present in parts of the lake at Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve, between Sandbach and Congleton.

In response, Cheshire East Countryside Ranger Service has issued a warning, with visitors advised to keep dogs and children away from the water.

A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council: "The presence or not of blue green algae at harmful levels in the pool at Brereton is judged visually.

"Testing would be needed at multiple spots around the lake and at weekly intervals to give a true answer and this would be prohibitively expensive.

"Visually, blue green algae is still present in one or more bays, We have experienced blooms in February in the past. For that reason the signs are still up so the risk has reduced, but has not gone."

Blue-green algae is oresent at Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve. (Photo: Nub News)

Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve is owned by Cheshire East Council and maintained and managed by the Cheshire East Ranger Service.

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