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Algae thwarts deputy editor's charity swim

A regional journalist’s attempt to raise cash for a local hospice by swimming across Windermere had to be postponed on Saturday thanks to blue-green algae.

Paul Hartley, deputy editor of the Hull Daily Mail had been hoping to take part in the Great North Swim across England’s largest lake.

But the event was cancelled after potentially dangerous blue-green algae was found in the water.

Nearly 9,000 people had signed up for the charity swim before the Environment Agency found the algae, which can cause sickness or skin rashes.

Event organisers, Nova International, now hope to reschedule the race for later this year.

Paul is hoping to raise £500 for the Dove House Hospice’s Love You 2 Appeal, the Mail’s charity of the year. He can be sponsored at his JustGiving page.