The all-clear has been given to Maldon residents and fishermen who had been warned of a poisonous algae affecting shellfish.

Last week Maldon District Council put up warning signs prohibiting the harvesting of bivalve molluscs which include cockles and oysters from Buxey Sands, Bench Head, St Peter's Flats and Batchelor Spit based on a positive result for diarrhetic shellfish poisoning.

This week the council revoked the prohibition notice which had lasted a week after two negative samples.

"We had contacted local fishermen and put up warning signs along the coastline aimed at members of the public or casual gathers picking up shellfish obviously warning not to consume them," said Lindsey Ellison, environmental services team leader for commercial and pest control.

Ms Ellison said the algae blooms at certain times of the year and can be found in other coastal areas in Britain, but it is the first time as far as she is aware that there has been a problem in Maldon.

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