London's first official bathing spot on the Thames at Ham and Kingston has officially been cleared by the Environment Agency (EA) of its blue-green algae warning.

On 19 August, the EA confirmed the presence of potentially toxic blue-green algae in the River Thames in and around the bathing spot, and residents were advised to follow the following precautions:

• Do not swim, paddle, or enter the water in affected areas until further notice.
• Keep dogs out of the water - blue-green algae is extremely dangerous to pets.
• Avoid contact with visible algae near the riverbank.

However, the EA cleared this warning last week, saying: "We are pleased that we can now remove our advice against bathing and avoiding contact with the water.

"We have received two consecutive weeks of algae monitoring analysis, showing that all River Thames sample locations, from Hampton Ferry to the Ham and Kingston Bathing Water, have been assessed as 'PASS'.

"The river's condition has improved significantly, and no floating algal scum has been observed either in the river or in the samples collected.

"The advice against bathing notice will be removed from the Designated Bathing Water and warning signs are being taken down from affected lock sites and slipways.

"We have also updated the SwimInfo.(External link) website, where you can find out the latest updates on bathing water sites in your area."