Lake Como, Italy has all the ingredients to make for the perfect holiday.

A layer of bad smelling algae is covering parts Lake como. The algae, in areas, stretching from one part of the shore to another and becoming thicker towards the rivers and the various wharves where the boats are berthed.

The Asl have confirmed that the cause of the proliferation of this substance is completely natural and should not cause alarm. However it is only common sense not to go diving into the lake where the algae has multiplied as accidental ingestion could be detrimental to health. The department of prevention of the Asl have explained that the correct term for this algae is 'microcystis aeruginosa e planktothrix rubescens' and are often found in lakes. They produce toxins that can be harmful if ingested (gastrointestinal problems): therefore it becomes dangerous to bathe whereby such algae exceeds the concentrations. The phenomenon will persist for a few days and will then gradually alleviate itself.